Cord-care practice in Scotland

Authors: Ireland, J., Rennie, A.M., Hundley, V., Fitzmaurice, A. and Graham, W.

Journal: Midwifery

Volume: 16

Issue: 3

Pages: 237-245

ISSN: 0266-6138

DOI: 10.1054/midw.2000.0215

Abstract:

Objective: To identify the range of policies, practices and rationale for umbilical-cord stump care in the NHS in Scotland. Design: A postal questionnaire survey completed in two stages.The first stage elicited the views of Heads of Midwifery/Senior Midwives, and the second stage the views of mid wives, enrolled nurses and nursery nurses. Setting: NHS units in Scotland providing intrapartum care.They were separated into large and small units with small units having ≤ 1000 deliveries per year (n=178), and large units > 1000 deliveries per year (n=300). Participants: The Heads of Midwifery/Senior Midwives from the 51 units were invited to participate in the study and 49 (96.1%) replied. In stage two 512 maternity unit employees were sent questionnaires and 390 (76.2%) replied.These were six enrolled nurses, 20 nursery nurses and 360 midwives and four respondents of unspecified occupation. Measurements: The existence of cord-care policies and their rationale. Findings: About half of the units that responded had a written policy. Large units were four times more likely than small units to have a written policy. Both managers and staff reported that the most common policy/agreed practice was no specific care (cord observed and only cleaned if soiled). Where a written policy existed, less than one-half of the Heads of Midwifery/Senior Midwives and less than one third of the staff reported that the basis for this policy was research. Key conclusions: Units with a written policy are in the minority and small units are far less likely to have such a policy.Wide variation exists in policy, practice and rationale. Diversity within and between units creates anxiety and disillusionment for practitioners. It may also cause confusion for patients who are exposed to different cord-care practices either as these change over time or because they use different units. Implications for Practice: The midwifery profession must examine this area of practice and determine how to address this lack of evidence. Further research is required to determine the most effective method of cord care and how best to put the findings into practice. Outstanding questions which beg further investigation are: • How do cords heal and separate and what bacteria are naturally involved in this process? • What constitutes an infected cord as opposed to a colonised cord? ©2000 Harcourt Publishers Ltd.

Source: Scopus

Cord-care practice in Scotland.

Authors: Ireland, J., Rennie, A.M., Hundley, V., Fitzmaurice, A. and Graham, W.

Journal: Midwifery

Volume: 16

Issue: 3

Pages: 237-245

ISSN: 0266-6138

DOI: 10.1054/midw.2000.0215

Abstract:

OBJECTIVE: To identify the range of policies, practices and rationale for umbilical-cord stump care in the NHS in Scotland. DESIGN: A postal questionnaire survey completed in two stages. The first stage elicited the views of Heads of Midwifery/Senior Midwives, and the second stage the views of midwives, enrolled nurses and nursery nurses. SETTING: NHS units in Scotland providing intrapartum care. They were separated into large and small units with small units having < or = 1000 deliveries per year (n = 178), and large units > 1000 deliveries per year (n = 300). PARTICIPANTS: The Heads of Midwifery/Senior Midwives from the 51 units were invited to participate in the study and 49 (96.1%) replied. In stage two 512 maternity unit employees were sent questionnaires and 390 (76.2%) replied. These were six enrolled nurses, 20 nursery nurses and 360 midwives and four respondents of unspecified occupation. MEASUREMENTS: The existence of cord-care policies and their rationale. FINDINGS: About half of the units that responded had a written policy. Large units were four times more likely than small units to have a written policy. Both managers and staff reported that the most common policy/agreed practice was no specific care (cord observed and only cleaned if soiled). Where a written policy existed, less than one-half of the Heads of Midwifery/Senior Midwives and less than one third of the staff reported that the basis for this policy was research. KEY CONCLUSIONS: Units with a written policy are in the minority and small units are far less likely to have such a policy. Wide variation exists in policy, practice and rationale. Diversity within and between units creates anxiety and disillusionment for practitioners. It may also cause confusion for patients who are exposed to different cord-care practices either as these change over time or because they use different units. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: The midwifery profession must examine this area of practice and determine how to address this lack of evidence. Further research is required to determine the most effective method of cord care and how best to put the findings into practice. Outstanding questions which beg further investigation are: How do cords heal and separate and what bacteria are naturally involved in this process? What constitutes an infected cord as opposed to a colonised cord?

Source: PubMed

Cord-care practice in Scotland

Authors: Ireland, J., Rennie, A.M., Hundley, V., Fitzmaurice, A. and Graham, W.

Journal: MIDWIFERY

Volume: 16

Issue: 3

Pages: 237-245

ISSN: 0266-6138

DOI: 10.1054/midw.2000.0215

Source: Web of Science (Lite)

Cord-care practice in Scotland.

Authors: Ireland, J., Rennie, A.-M., Hundley, V., Fitzmaurice, A. and Graham, W.

Journal: Midwifery

Volume: 16

Pages: 237-45

ISSN: 0266-6138

DOI: 10.1054/midw.2000.0215

Abstract:

The midwifery profession must examine this area of practice and determine how to address this lack of evidence. Further research is required to determine the most effective method of cord care and how best to put the findings into practice. Outstanding questions which beg further investigation are: How do cords heal and separate and what bacteria are naturally involved in this process? What constitutes an infected cord as opposed to a colonised cord?

Source: Manual

Preferred by: Vanora Hundley

Cord-care practice in Scotland.

Authors: Ireland, J., Rennie, A.M., Hundley, V., Fitzmaurice, A. and Graham, W.

Journal: Midwifery

Volume: 16

Issue: 3

Pages: 237-245

eISSN: 1532-3099

ISSN: 0266-6138

DOI: 10.1054/midw.2000.0215

Abstract:

Objective

To identify the range of policies, practices and rationale for umbilical-cord stump care in the NHS in Scotland.

Design

A postal questionnaire survey completed in two stages. The first stage elicited the views of Heads of Midwifery/Senior Midwives, and the second stage the views of midwives, enrolled nurses and nursery nurses.

Setting

NHS units in Scotland providing intrapartum care. They were separated into large and small units with small units having < or = 1000 deliveries per year (n = 178), and large units > 1000 deliveries per year (n = 300).

Participants

The Heads of Midwifery/Senior Midwives from the 51 units were invited to participate in the study and 49 (96.1%) replied. In stage two 512 maternity unit employees were sent questionnaires and 390 (76.2%) replied. These were six enrolled nurses, 20 nursery nurses and 360 midwives and four respondents of unspecified occupation.

Measurements

The existence of cord-care policies and their rationale.

Findings

About half of the units that responded had a written policy. Large units were four times more likely than small units to have a written policy. Both managers and staff reported that the most common policy/agreed practice was no specific care (cord observed and only cleaned if soiled). Where a written policy existed, less than one-half of the Heads of Midwifery/Senior Midwives and less than one third of the staff reported that the basis for this policy was research.

Key conclusions

Units with a written policy are in the minority and small units are far less likely to have such a policy. Wide variation exists in policy, practice and rationale. Diversity within and between units creates anxiety and disillusionment for practitioners. It may also cause confusion for patients who are exposed to different cord-care practices either as these change over time or because they use different units.

Implications for practice

The midwifery profession must examine this area of practice and determine how to address this lack of evidence. Further research is required to determine the most effective method of cord care and how best to put the findings into practice. Outstanding questions which beg further investigation are: How do cords heal and separate and what bacteria are naturally involved in this process? What constitutes an infected cord as opposed to a colonised cord?

Source: Europe PubMed Central