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Right Decision Service newsletter: October 2024

Welcome to the Right Decision Service (RDS) newsletter for October 2024.

1.Contingency arrangements for RDS outages

Development of the contingency solutions to maximise RDS resilience and minimise risk of future outages is in progress, aiming for completion by Christmas. As a reminder, these contingency arrangements  are:

  • Optimising mobile app build process
  • Mobile app always to be downloadable.
  • Serialising builds to mobile app; separate mobile app build from other editorial and end-user processes
  • Load balancing – provides failover (also enables separation of editorial processes from other processes to improve performance.)

 

In the meantime, a gentle reminder to encourage users to download essential clinical toolkits to their mobile devices so that there is an offline version always available.

 

2. New deployment with improvements.

A new scheduled deployment with minor improvements drawn from support tickets, externally funded projects, information related to outages, and feature requests will take place in early December. Key improvements planned are:

  • Deep-linking to individual toolkits within the RDS mobile app. Each toolkit will now have its own direct URL and QR code, both accessible from the app. These can be used to download the toolkit directly where users already have the RDS app installed. If the user does not yet have the RDS app installed, they will be taken to the app store to install the app and immediately afterwards the toolkit will automatically open and download. Note that this will go live a few days later than the improvements below due to the need to link up the mobile front end to the changes in the content management system.
  • Introducing an Announcement Header field to replace the hardcoded "Announcements and latest updates" text. This will enable users to see at a glance the focus of new announcements.
  • Automated daily emptying of the recycling bin (with a 30 day rolling grace period)  in the content management system. A bug preventing complete emptying of the recycling bin contributed to one of the outages earlier this year.
  • Supporting multiple passcodes (ticket 6079)
  • Expanding accordion section to show location of a search result rather than requiring user coming from a search result to manually open all sections and search again for the term.
  • Displaying first accordion section Content text as a snippet on the search results page as a fallback if default/main content is not provided
  • Displaying the context of each search result in the form of a link to the relevant parent tool/section. This will help users to choose which search result is most likely to be appropriate for their needs.
  • As part of release of the new national benzodiazepine quality prescribing guidance toolkit sponsored by Scottish Government Effective Prescribing and Therapeutics, a digital tool to support creation of benzodiazepine tapering/withdrawal schedules.

We are also seeking approval to use the NHS Scotland logo and title for the RDS app on the app stores to help with audience engagement and clarity around the provenance of RDS.

3. RDS Search, Browse and Archive/Version control enhancements

We are still hopeful that user acceptance testing for at least the Search and browse enhancements can take place before Christmas. Thank you for your patience and understanding in waiting for these improvements. Timescales have been pushed back by old app migration challenges, work to address outages, and most recently implementing the contingency arrangements.

4. Support tickets

We are aware that there continue to be some issues around a number of RDS support tickets, in part due to constraints around visibility for the RDS team of the tickets in the existing  support portal. We are investigating the potential to move to a new support ticket requesting system from early in the new year. We will organise the proposed webinar around support ticket processes once we have confirmed the way forward with the system.

Table formatting

There is a known issue with alterations in formatting of some RDS tables which seems to have arisen as a result of the 17 October deployment. Tactuum is working on a fix and on implementing additional regression testing to prevent this issue recurring.

5. New RDS toolkits

Recently launched toolkits include:

NHS Lothian Infectious Diseases

Scottish Health Technologies Group – Technology Assessment recommendations

NHS Tayside Anaesthetics and Critical Care projects – an innovative toolkit which uses PowerAutomate to manage review and response to proposals for improvement projects.

If you would like to promote one of your new toolkits through this newsletter, please contact ann.wales3@nhs.scot

A number of toolkits are expected to go live before Christmas, including:

  • Focus on dementia
  • Highland Council Getting it Right for Every Child
  • Dumfries and Galloway Adult Support and Protection procedures
  • National Waiting Well toolkit
  • Fertility Scotland National Network
  • NHS Lothian postural care for care homes

6.Sign up to RDS Editors Teams channel

We have had a good response to the recent invitation to sign up to the new Teams channel for RDS editors. This provides a forum for editors to share learning, ideas and questions and we hope to hold regular webinars on topics of interest.  The RDS team is in the process of joining participants to the channel and we’d encourage all editors to take part, using the registration form – available in Providers section of the RDS Learning and Support area.

 

7. Evaluation projects

The RDS team has worked with colleagues in NHS Grampian and the Digital Health & Care Innovation Centre to evaluate the impact of the Prevent the progress of diabetes web and mobile app in a small-scale pilot project. This app provides access to local and national resources and services targeted at people with prediabetes, a history of gestational diabetes, or candidates for remission. After just 8 weeks of using the app, 94% of patients reported increased their knowledge and understanding of diabetes, and 88% said it had increased their confidence and motivation to make lifestyle changes, highlighting specific behaviour changes. The learning from this project is informing development of a service model based on tailored support for patient groups with, high, medium and low digital self-efficacy.

Please contact ann.wales3@nhs.scot if you would like to know more about this project.

  1. Training sessions for new editors (also serve as refresher sessions for existing editors) will take place on the following dates:

  • Friday 29th November 3-4 pm
  • Thursday 5 December 3.30 -4.30 pm

To book a place, please contact Olivia.graham@nhs.scot, providing your name, organisation, job role, and level of experience with RDS editing (none, a little, moderate, extensive.)

 

To invite colleagues to sign up to receive this newsletter, please signpost them to the registration form  - also available in End-user and Provider sections of the RDS Learning and Support area.   If you have any questions about the content of this newsletter, please contact his.decisionsupport@nhs.scot  If you would prefer not to receive future newsletters, please email Olivia.graham@nhs.scot and ask to be removed from the circulation list.

With kind regards

 

Right Decision Service team

Healthcare Improvement Scotland

 

The Right Decision Service:  the national decision support platform for Scotland’s health and care

Website: https://rightdecisions.scot.nhs.uk    Mobile app download:  Apple  Android

 

 

IUD (Intrauterine Fetal Death) (658)

Warning
Please report any inaccuracies or issues with this guideline using our online form

This aim of this guideline is to standardise care of those women presenting to maternity triage with an intrauterine death. It should be used to counsel women sensitively about her options and identify those at risk of medical complications in whom immediate intervention may be required. 

Definitions1:

  • Late fetal losses – the baby is delivered between 22+0 and 23+6 weeks of pregnancy showing no signs of life, irrespective of when the death occurred.

  • Stillbirths – the baby is delivered from 24+0 weeks gestation showing no signs of life. If Intrauterine death had been diagnosed (usually by ultrasound) prior to 24 weeks and delivery does not take place until 24 weeks this should be classified as a late fetal loss or miscarriage as appropriate.

  • Early neonatal deaths – death of a live born baby (born at 20 weeks gestation of pregnancy or later or ≥ 400g where an accurate estimate of gestation is not available) occurring before 7 completed days after birth.

  • Miscarriage: The spontaneous expulsion from the uterus of a fetus that shows no signs of life before 24 weeks gestation

Diagnosis

  • Take a full history

  • Enquire about fetal movements noting that passive movements after IUD can be felt.

  • Perform basic maternal observations and an antenatal check including maternal heart rate, respiratory rate, blood pressure, temperature, urinalysis and abdominal palpation

  • Diagnosis should be made by real time ultrasound assessment of fetal cardiac pulsation.

  • A second person trained in ultrasound scanning should be present where possible.

  • Where views are difficult to obtain colour doppler and umbilical cord doppler can be used

  • If possible and confident to do so perform a single measurement such as head circumference HC/ abdominal circumference AC or  femur length FL to date pregnancy at this stage 

  • Fetal hydrops, intra-fetal gas or overlapping skull bones may be seen and evidence of these should be documented.

  • If possible try to have support with patient at the time of USS  – if not, once the diagnosis is confirmed offer to call a relative or friend for support

  • Ensure that serious pathology has been excluded such as chorioamnionitis, pre-eclampsia, coagulopathy and abruption

  • Women should be strongly advised to take immediate steps towards delivery if there is sepsis, pre- eclampsia, placental abruption or membrane rupture

  • Take urgent bloods for Full blood count,  group and save and coagulation, CRP and baseline UE/LFT

  • All women should have a have Kleihauer undertaken as soon as possible after presentation as the haemorrhage may have occurred some time before presentation. This allows diagnosis of any feto-maternal haemorrhage as possible cause of the IUD and allows timely administration of Anti-D should the woman be Rhesus negative.

  • Where feto-materal haemorrhage has occurred the dose of Anti-D should be altered and a repeat Kleihauer should be performed at 48 hours to ensure fetal cells have been cleared.

Management

Vaginal delivery

  • A vaginal delivery can be achieved in 90% of women in 24hours following induction of labour with an IUD

  • Benefits include recovery time and less time to discharge as well as reduced risks for future pregnancies.

  • Those with group-B strep do not need intrapartum antibiotic prophylaxis

  • If concerns regarding sepsis and infection follow appropriate antibiotic therapy guidance

Caesarean section

  • On occasions maternal request for c-section can be considered along with her previous medical and obstetric history

  • Those with a previous c-section should be discussed with the obstetric consultant on call and arrangements made to see an obstetric consultant to discuss delivery options.

  • Those with 1 or 2 c-sections can be advised that IOL is safe but does come with a risk of uterine rupture.

  • Those with 3 c-section scars or atypical scars should be advised that the safety of IOL is unknown

Expectant management

  • 85% of women with a confirmed IUD will labour spontaneously within 3 weeks

  • This is an uncommon management option

  • Women who choose expectant management should be warned about the increasing risk of medical complications with prolonged expectant management and should be seen twice a week to exclude DIC and sepsis. The risk of DIC is 10% within the first 4 weeks and 30% thereafter. 

  • Women should also be warned that the appearance of the baby may deteriorate and the value of post mortem examination can be affected with prolonged expectant management.

Investigations following IUD (following admission to Labour ward)

Reasons for intrauterine death will include congenital malformation, congenital fetal infection, antepartum haemorrhage, pre eclampsia and maternal diabetes mellitus. Intrapartum causes will be secondary to placental abruption, maternal and fetal infection, cord prolapse, uterine rupture and hypoxia-acidosis.

Directing investigations to detect causes and their indications are listed below

  • Full blood count FBC, urea and electrolytes UE, liver function tests LFT’s , coagulation screen , Creactive protein CRP 
    To detect pre eclampsia, sepsis and it’s complications such as multi organ failure and disseminated intravascular coagulopathy DIC. 

  • Kleihauer
    To detect late feto-maternal haemorrhage – in all women, not just rhesus negative. Where feasible this should be carried out as soon as possible to diagnosis of IUFD in all women. 

  • Bacteriology , maternal blood cultures, mid stream urine specimen, high vaginal swab , cervical swab 
    Indicated if maternal fever and sepsis, flu like symptoms or abnormal liquor including prolonged rupture of membranes.

  • Maternal serology 
    If maternal fetal infection suspected  e.g fetal hydrops can use booking serum for baseline serology. Parvovirus B19. rubella, CMV herpes and toxoplasma gondii . Treponemal serology can be checked on booking bloods. Consider checking other virus’ if the woman has travelled abroad to endemic areas.

  • Maternal HBA1c
    May indicate type 1 or 2 DM. GDM patients may still have a normal HBA1c

  • Thrombophilia screening
    Lupus anticoagulant and anticardiolipin antibodies should be performed at a later date (e.g post natal follow up) as pregnancy may affect the results

  • Fetal and Placental swabs for microbiology
    Fetal ear and maternal and fetal surfaces of placenta should be swabbed.

  • Placental tissue for karyotyping 
    Offer to all women - written consent is required . Cultures can sometimes fail.
  • Post mortem examination

    We would encourage all women to have a full post mortem. This may lead to changes in future pregnancy management in up to 20% of cases. 

    Ideally this should be discussed by the on call consultant. If a full post mortem is not wished then the pros and cons of a limited post mortem should be discussed. Written consent is required. 

    If PM is declined, the baby should be examined by the on-call obstetrician and the findings documented.

Management after 24 weeks

The majority of women are suitable for vaginal delivery

Those with active bleeding, evidence of abruption or sepsis should be admitted. 

 Where no indications for admission and observation exist 

Administer Mifepristone 200mg orally + arrange admission to LABOUR SUITE 24-48 hours later

 

  • Care should be provided by an experienced midwife in a private room where partners can stay overnight

  • Prescribe all medications on a kardex to avoid delays on admission

  • Side effects of mifepristone include abdominal cramp, rashes and headaches

  • Contraindications include severe asthma, porphyria, renal or liver failure.

  • Benefits include reduced time spent in hospital, reduced number of misoprostol doses and reduced risk of retained placenta

  • Women should be encouraged to attend the department sooner if they have a fever, bleeding, pain or feel otherwise unwell – give contact number for labour suit directly. They will need support during this time

  • If any concerns regarding sepsis initiate appropriate therapy- see antibiotic guideline

  • If there are any patient concerns these women should be brought to labour suite immediately

  • Women should be advised to avoid non steroidal analgesics

  • Women should be warned about the possibility of feeling passive fetal movements

Labour suite

  • 4 hourly observations to be completed either on a MEWS chart or the partogram from admission to labour suite.

  • Partogram to be used and fully completed once labour commenced

Administer Misoprostol 50micrograms every 4 hours per vagina (5 doses)

 

  • If after the 1st round of misoprostol (all 5 doses) delivery has not occurred inform the obstetric registrar who should perform a pelvic examination

    The obstetric consultant should advise a subsequent plan

    Repeat Misoprostol regime

    OR

    3mg prostin per vagina and repeat at 6 hours. If still undelivered / not in established labour a further discussion with the obstetric consultant should occur
  • Labour should be actively managed and this includes the second and third stages

  • ARM should not be performed unless discussed with senior obstetrician and very rarely before 4cm dilation as this may slow progress and increase the risk of infection. A potential exemption may be in the case of massive abruption and IUD where ARM may hasten the process.

  • If there is delay in the second stage there should be a low threshold for consultant involvement as the lack of tone may make delivery of the baby more difficult.

  • Active management of the third stage should occur in line with PPH risk assessment

  • If the placenta appears incomplete and bleeding is ongoing evacuation of retained products of conception should be performed under anaesthetic.

  • Care should be tailored to individual requests and needs where feasible.

Determining sex of baby

This can be potentially difficult due to hydrops or maceration. Advise parents about this potential difficulty when appropriate

2 experienced healthcare professionals (midwives, obstetricians, neonatologists or pathologists ) should examine the baby if determination of sex is difficult. In some cases determination of sex may not be possible and pathology / karyotype will have to be awaited.  

Prior to discharge

  • Post mortem examination should be discussed by the consultant on duty where possible – if not a senior doctor comfortable in discussing PM could take consent. Parents should be given written information by their midwife prior to a final discussion. Parental consent for PM must be documented in notes – also if declined.

  • Perform a thromboprophylaxis risk assessment.

  • Check rhesus status and ensure anti-D given if appropriate.

  • Offer lactation suppression with cabergoline 1mg single dose - contraindicated in hypertensive women.

  • Arrange for immediate discharge letter, appropriate venous thromboembolism risk assessment, pain relief and iron if required.

  • Inform the community midwife / general practitioner and the woman’s lead consultant.

  • Ensure all antenatal appointments have been cancelled

  • Offer counselling services and support group information ( family bereavement service). The Child Bereavement Service will see families ≥23 weeks. Before this gestation referral should be made to SANDS or the Miscarriage Association.

  • Discussion regarding contraception should occur before discharge

  • Clear contact details for MAU or Labour Ward should be given to the parents in case of any postnatal concerns.

  • Written information should be given to the parents to let them know a review of their pregnancy and delivery will take place. They should be given written information on how to contribute if they have specific questions they wish addressed.

  • A Datix should be completed for all losses ≥22 weeks

Follow up

This should be arranged by the lead consultant for that patient. On occasions a consultant colleague with significant involvement in the case may take over this responsibility.  

Follow up normally occurs 8-12 weeks following the event but patients should be informed that this can be re-arranged if they do not feel able to attend at that stage. 

Management plans for future pregnancies should be documented in the patient’s notes  

Editorial Information

Last reviewed: 04/12/2018

Next review date: 01/12/2023

Author(s): Laurie Anderson.

Approved By: Obstetrics Clinical Governance Group

Document Id: 658

References
  • Late intrauterine Fetal Death and Stillbirth, RCOG Green Top Guideline 55, October 2010.

  • MBRRACE-UK Mothers and Babies- reducing Risk through audits and Confidential enquiries across the UK