Maternal / Fetal Waveforms
See the Strip on Demand
BACKGROUND
Continuous electronic fetal monitoring (EFM) is the most commonly performed obstetric procedure in the U.S. (1) Visual assessment of the data is a requirement for accurate interpretation, accordingto the National Institute of Child Health Development. A full description of the monitoring strip requires a qualitative and quantitative description of uterine contractions, baseline fetal heart rate, and baseline variability, presence of accelerations, periodic or episodic decelerations, and changes or trends of patterns over time. (2)
Professional medical societies agree that EFM during birth is essential to maternal and fetal well-being. The waveforms, which are displayed at the bedside and central surveillance stations, provide insights into labor progression and are periodically interpreted by nurses and other clinicians. Together with charted perinatal information, these data provide objective measures to guide physician decision-making.
(1) Martin JA, Hamilton BE, Sutton PD, et al. Births: final data for 2002. Natl Vital StatRep.2003;52(10):1-113.
(2) Robinson B, Nelson L, A Review of the Proceedings from the 2008 NICHD Workshop on Standardized Nomenclature for Cardiotocography. Update on Definitions, Interpretative Systems with Management Strategies, and Research Priorities in Relation to Intrapartum Electronic Fetal Monitoring. Rev Obstet Gynecol. 2008;1(4):186-192.
PROBLEM
Clinical care team members are highly mobile. Delivering providers are typically not with the patient until delivery is imminent, yet problems can arise during labor requiring immediate review and decision-making.
SOLUTION
AirStrip ONE® for Obstetrics provides anywhere, anytime access for physicians to review concerning waveform patterns, bedside alarms, or other patient data. AirStrip enables physicians to make a visual interpretation, engage in collaborative discussion, and render an opinion on safe and effective patient management, all on their mobile device.
BENEFITS
- AirStrip ONE® for Obstetrics is AirStrip’s most established solution, having supported more than 4 million births since its release over a decade ago
- Proactive assessment of patients using AirStrip enables obstetricians/midwives to arrive at the bedside for timely delivery, which can improve workflow and outcomes
- Anytime, anywhere access to the strip with a clinical context can facilitate timelier remote consultation, and improve access to specialists
- AirStrip can reassure patients and families that their providers are still ‘in touch’ even when they are away from the bedside
- AirStrip supports consultative visual assessment that enforces chain-of-command procedures when providers disagree on patient assessments or treatment plans
