scholarly journals Electronic Fetal Monitoring Credentialing Examination: The First 4000

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (01) ◽  
pp. e93-e100
Author(s):  
Mark W. Tomlinson ◽  
Sara A. Brumbaugh ◽  
Marin O'Keeffe ◽  
Richard L. Berkowitz ◽  
Mary D'Alton ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Fetal Heart ◽  
Fetal Monitoring ◽  
Test Reliability ◽  
Online Assessment ◽  
Moderate Correlation ◽  
Certified Nurse Midwives ◽  
Electronic Fetal Monitoring ◽  
Valid Assessment ◽  
Nurse Midwives ◽  
Modest Correlation

Abstract Objective Recognized variability in fetal heart rate interpretation led the Perinatal Quality Foundation (PQF) to develop a credentialing exam. We report an evaluation of the 1st 4000 plus PQF Fetal Monitoring Credentialing (FMC) exams. Study Design The PQF FMC exam is an online assessment for obstetric providers and nurses. The exam contains two question types: traditional multiple-choice evaluating knowledge and Script Concordance Theory (SCT) evaluating judgment. Reliability was measured through McDonald's Total Omega and Cronbach's Alpha. Pearson's correlations between knowledge and judgment were measured. Results From February 2014 through September 2018, 4,330 different individuals took the exam. A total of 4,057 records were suitable for reliability analysis: 2,105 (52%) physicians, 1,756 (43%) nurses, and 196 (5%) certified nurse midwives (CNMs). As a measure of test reliability, total Omega was 0.80 for obstetric providers and 0.77 for nurses. There was only moderate correlation between the knowledge scores and judgment scores for obstetric providers (0.38) and for nurses (0.43). Conclusion The PQF FMC exam is a reliable, valid assessment of both Electronic Fetal Monitoring (EFM) knowledge and judgment. It evaluates essential EFM skills for the establishment of practical credentialing. It also reports modest correlation between knowledge and judgment scores, suggesting that knowledge alone does not assure clinical competency.

Effect of Oligohydramnios on Fetal Heart Rate Patterns during Term Labor Induction

2018 ◽  
Vol 36 (07) ◽  
pp. 715-722
Author(s):  
Janine S. Rhoades ◽  
Molly J. Stout ◽  
George A. Macones ◽  
Alison G. Cahill
Keyword(s):  
Heart Rate ◽  
Fetal Heart Rate ◽  
Fetal Heart ◽  
Secondary Analysis ◽  
Neonatal Morbidity ◽  
Fetal Monitoring ◽  
Secondary Outcome ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Electronic Fetal Monitoring ◽  
Consecutive Term

Objective To estimate the effect of oligohydramnios on fetal heart rate (FHR) patterns in patients undergoing induction of labor (IOL) at term. Study Design Secondary analysis of a prospective cohort study of consecutive term, singleton deliveries from 2010 to 2015. We included all patients who underwent IOL. Our primary outcomes were electronic fetal monitoring (EFM) characteristics in the 2 hours preceding delivery. Outcomes were compared between those induced with oligohydramnios and those induced without a diagnosis of oligohydramnios. Our secondary outcome was composite neonatal morbidity. Logistic regression was used to control for confounders. Results Of 3,787 patients who underwent IOL, 147 had a diagnosis of oligohydramnios and 3,640 were included in the no oligohydramnios group. There was no significant difference in EFM characteristics between the two groups. There was no difference in composite neonatal morbidity. In patients with oligohydramnios, EFM patterns with baseline tachycardia for 30 minutes or greater were significantly associated with composite neonatal morbidity (31.3 vs. 5.3% adjusted odds ratio 8.63, 95% confidence interval 2.18, 34.1]). Conclusion Term patients undergoing IOL with oligohydramnios had EFM patterns that did not differ from their induced peers.

scholarly journals Electronic Fetal Monitoring and Neonatal Outcomes when a Nuchal Cord Is Present at Delivery

2019 ◽  
Vol 37 (04) ◽  
pp. 378-383
Author(s):  
Ebony B. Carter ◽  
Cheryl S. Chu ◽  
Zach Thompson ◽  
Methodius G. Tuuli ◽  
George A. Macones ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Primary Outcome ◽  
Fetal Heart ◽  
Neonatal Morbidity ◽  
Fetal Monitoring ◽  
Neonatal Outcomes ◽  
Nuchal Cord ◽  
Electronic Fetal Monitoring ◽  
Adverse Neonatal Outcomes ◽  
Morbidity Index ◽  
Singleton Pregnancies

Objective This study aimed to determine the association between nuchal cord, electronic fetal monitoring parameters, and adverse neonatal outcomes. Study Design This was a prospective cohort study of 8,580 singleton pregnancies. Electronic fetal monitoring was interpreted, and patients with a nuchal cord at delivery were compared with those without. The primary outcome was a composite neonatal morbidity index. Logistic regression was used to adjust for confounders. Result Of 8,580 patients, 2,071 (24.14%) had a nuchal cord. There was no difference in the risk of neonatal composite morbidity in patients with or without a nuchal cord (8.69 vs. 8.86%; p = 0.81). Nuchal cord was associated with category II fetal heart tracing and operative vaginal delivery (OVD) (6.4 vs. 4.3%; p < 0.01). Conclusion Nuchal cord is associated with category II electronic fetal monitoring parameters, which may drive increased rates of OVD. However, there is no significant association with neonatal morbidity.

scholarly journals Use of Continuous Electronic Fetal Monitoring in a Preterm Fetus: Clinical Dilemmas and Recommendations for Practice

2011 ◽  
Vol 2011 ◽  
pp. 1-7 ◽  
Author(s):  
Karolina Afors ◽  
Edwin Chandraharan
Keyword(s):  
Heart Rate ◽  
Fetal Heart Rate ◽  
Fetal Heart ◽  
Scientific Evidence ◽  
Preterm Births ◽  
Fetal Monitoring ◽  
National Guidelines ◽  
Physiological Control ◽  
Electronic Fetal Monitoring ◽  
Continuous Electronic Fetal Monitoring

The aim of intrapartum continuous electronic fetal monitoring using a cardiotocograph (CTG) is to identify a fetus exposed to intrapartum hypoxic insults so that timely and appropriate action could be instituted to improve perinatal outcome. Features observed on a CTG trace reflect the functioning of somatic and autonomic nervous systems and the fetal response to hypoxic or mechanical insults during labour. Although, National Guidelines on electronic fetal monitoring exist for term fetuses, there is paucity of recommendations based on scientific evidence for monitoring preterm fetuses during labour. Lack of evidence-based recommendations may pose a clinical dilemma as preterm births account for nearly 8% (1 in 13) live births in England and Wales. 93% of these preterm births occur after 28 weeks, 6% between 22–27 weeks, and 1% before 22 weeks. Physiological control of fetal heart rate and the resultant features observed on the CTG trace differs in the preterm fetus as compared to a fetus at term making interpretation difficult. This review describes the features of normal fetal heart rate patterns at different gestations and the physiological responses of a preterm fetus compared to a fetus at term. We have proposed an algorithm “ACUTE” to aid management.

Association of Fetal Heart Rate Baseline Change and Neonatal Outcomes

2017 ◽  
Vol 34 (09) ◽  
pp. 879-886 ◽  
Author(s):  
Molly Stout ◽  
Julia López ◽  
Ryan Colvin ◽  
George Macones ◽  
Alison Cahill ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Heart Rate ◽  
Fetal Heart Rate ◽  
Neonatal Intensive Care ◽  
Fetal Heart ◽  
Fetal Monitoring ◽  
Neonatal Outcomes ◽  
Arterial Ph ◽  
Electronic Fetal Monitoring ◽  
Nicu Admission ◽  
Normal Neonates

Objective The objective of this study was to describe the incidence of baseline change within normal range during labor and its prediction of neonatal outcomes. Materials and Methods This was a prospective cohort of singleton, nonanomalous, term neonates with continuous electronic fetal monitoring and normal baseline fetal heart rate throughout the last 2 hours of labor. We determined baseline in 10-minute segments using Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development criteria. We evaluated baseline changes of ≥ 20 and ≥ 30 bpm for association with acidemia (umbilical cord arterial pH ≤ 7.10) and neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) admission. Finally, we performed a sensitivity analysis of normal neonates, excluding those with acidemia, NICU admission, or 5-minute Apgar < 4. Results Among all neonates (n = 3,021), 1,267 (41.9%) had change ≥ 20 bpm; 272 (9.0%) had ≥ 30 bpm. Among normal neonates (n = 2,939), 1,221 (41.5%) had change ≥20 bpm. Acidemia was not associated with baseline change of any direction or magnitude. NICU admission was associated with decrease ≥ 20 bpm (adjusted odds ratio [aOR]: 2.93; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.19 – 7.21) or any direction ≥ 20 bpm (aOR: 4.06; 95% CI: 1.46–11.29). For decrease ≥ 20 bpm, sensitivity and specificity were 40.0 and 81.7%; for any direction ≥ 20 bpm, 75.0 and 58.3%. Conclusion Changes of normal baseline are common in term labor and poorly predict morbidity, regardless of direction or magnitude.

scholarly journals Characteristics of Heart Rate Tracings in Preterm Fetus

Medicina ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 57 (6) ◽  
pp. 528
Author(s):  
Maria F. Hurtado-Sánchez ◽  
David Pérez-Melero ◽  
Andrea Pinto-Ibáñez ◽  
Ernesto González-Mesa ◽  
Juan Mozas-Moreno ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Heart Rate ◽  
Fetal Heart ◽  
Perinatal Outcomes ◽  
Fetal Monitoring ◽  
Public Health Issue ◽  
Second Trimester ◽  
Medline Search ◽  
Electronic Fetal Monitoring ◽  
Fetal Wellbeing ◽  
Low Amplitude

Background and Objectives: Prematurity is currently a serious public health issue worldwide, because of its high associated morbidity and mortality. Optimizing the management of these pregnancies is of high priority to improve perinatal outcomes. One tool frequently used to determine the degree of fetal wellbeing is cardiotocography (CTG). A review of the available literature on fetal heart rate (FHR) monitoring in preterm fetuses shows that studies are scarce, and the evidence thus far is unclear. The lack of reference standards for CTG patterns in preterm fetuses can lead to misinterpretation of the changes observed in electronic fetal monitoring (EFM). The aims of this narrative review were to summarize the most relevant concepts in the field of CTG interpretation in preterm fetuses, and to provide a practical approach that can be useful in clinical practice. Materials and Methods: A MEDLINE search was carried out, and the published articles thus identified were reviewed. Results: Compared to term fetuses, preterm fetuses have a slightly higher baseline FHR. Heart rate is faster in more immature fetuses, and variability is lower and increases in more mature fetuses. Transitory, low-amplitude decelerations are more frequent during the second trimester. Transitory increases in FHR are less frequent and become more frequent and increase in amplitude as gestational age increases. Conclusions: The main characteristics of FHR tracings changes as gestation proceeds, and it is of fundamental importance to be aware of these changes in order to correctly interpret CTG patterns in preterm fetuses.

738 Sex-specific differences in electronic fetal monitoring patterns

2021 ◽  
Vol 224 (2) ◽  
pp. S462-S463
Author(s):  
Erin Bailey ◽  
Nandini Raghuraman ◽  
Fan Zhang ◽  
Jeny Ghartey ◽  
George A. Macones ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Fetal Monitoring ◽  
Electronic Fetal Monitoring

Electronic fetal monitoring in the twenty-first century: Language, logic and Lewis Carroll

2020 ◽  
pp. 147775092097180
Author(s):  
Thomas P Sartwelle ◽  
James C Johnston ◽  
Berna Arda ◽  
Mehila Zebenigus
Keyword(s):  
Medical Literature ◽  
Medical Profession ◽  
Scientific Research ◽  
Fetal Monitoring ◽  
First Century ◽  
Lewis Carroll ◽  
Evidence Based ◽  
Electronic Fetal Monitoring ◽  
Complete Failure ◽  
Twenty First Century

The Alice Books, full of illogical thoughts, words, and contradictions, were unrivaled entertainment until the publication of the medical literature promoting electronic fetal monitoring (EFM) for every pregnancy. The modern-day EFM advocates acknowledge EFM’s decades long failure but simultaneously recommend EFM use for lawsuit protection and because the profession has used EFM for every pregnancy for fifty years, therefore, it must be efficacious. These self-indulgent, illogical rationalizations ignore the half century of evidence-based scientific research proving that EFM is a complete failure as well as ignoring the fact that continued EFM use violates the fundamental principles of modern bioethics. This blind advocacy perpetuates four pernicious EFM harms occurring to mothers, babies, and the medical profession itself. This article sets out these four EFM harms with the goal of abolishing the misguided, illogical, contradictory, arguments used by the twenty-first century EFM Lewis Carroll mimics.

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