Intrapartum electronic fetal monitoring: imperfect technologies and clinical uncertainties--what can a human factors and social science approach add?

For many women, fetal well-being in labour is assessed using continuous electronic fetal monitoring with cardiotocography (CTG), a technique used to monitor the fetal heartbeat and uterine contractions during pregnancy and labour.1 However, problems in the assessment of fetal well-being in labour and delays in escalation and response have been consistently highlighted in maternity care safety inquiries, both in the UK and internationally, causing untold distress to parents and families.2–6 Taking an interdisciplinary perspective, drawing on both human factors/ergonomics and social science, the study from Lamé and colleagues,7 published in this issue of BMJ Quality and Safety, aims to understand the everyday practice of electronic fetal monitoring with CTG and the organisational and work context within which this takes place. Findings are based on ethnographic observations and interviews with midwives and doctors at different levels...
Source: Quality and Safety in Health Care - Category: Health Management Authors: Tags: Editorials Source Type: research