BAPM has published a QI Toolkit on Antenatal Optimisation for Preterm Infants less than 34 weeks. The toolkit provides an implementation strategy for units and networks who wish to improve compliance with key evidence-based AO interventions to improve preterm outcomes.
The toolkit was developed by a four nation team of obstetricians, midwives and neonatologists with parent representation and is freely available to download on the BAPM website.
This venture has been undertaken in collaboration with the National Neonatal Audit Programme and the implementation will be supported throughout England by the Maternity and Neonatal Safety Improvement Programme in the coming months.
This is one of four toolkits produced by the BAPM which as a whole make up a Perinatal Optimisation Care Pathway. These include Normothermia (published), Early Maternal Breastmilk and Optimal Cord Management (to be published October and November 2020). This pathway which aligns with the Saving Babies Lives Care Bundle version 2, promotes interdisciplinary perinatal teamworking in pursuit of better preterm outcomes.
Julie-Clare Becher, Quality Lead for BAPM says "we only get one chance to get it right for preterm babies before they are born, but optimising the antenatal environment is a complex process. This Antenatal Optimisation toolkit provides the 'how' as well as the 'why', and will support perinatal teams in delivering evidence-based interventions so that more children will survive and grow up to live happy and healthy lives."