Understanding Audit in Obstetrics

Aim of this audit is to analyse indication and proportion of babies delivered by elective caesarean section at less than 39⁺⁰ weeks of gestation exposed to antenatal corticosteroids performed in a Premier Hospital, Hywel Dda Health University. The second aim was to learn how an audit can be done and used for improving clinical practice.

Present study involved all patients who underwent elective caesarean delivery before 39 weeks completed period of gestation in August and September 2014. Data collected from medical record tracking using ICD-9 codes and analysed by clinical audit department.

Patients who underwent elective caesarean section after 39 weeks completed period of gestation.

The audit showed 66.6 % of patients were given antenatal corticosteroids. The observation was discussed in consultant meetings, labour forum, and was send as e-mail to every one working in Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology. The goal was 100 %. Reaudit is to be performed in year time to know the effect of change in practice. All successful audits are structured programmes with realistic aims and objectives, leadership and attitude of senior management, nondirective, hands-on approach, support of staff, strategy groups and regular discussions, emphasis on team working and support, environment conducive to conducting audit.