The REaSoN neonatal conference continues to be one of the largest neonatology events in the UK calendar. Bringing together over 400 neonatal multidisciplinary healthcare professionals, the 25th anniversary meeting delivered dedicated sessions covering current research evidence, quality improvement (QI), nursing, ethics, and key ‘hot topics’ for staff working in neonatal units today.

Delegates attending the conference were invited to submit abstracts of new findings and original observations as poster presentations. From the main poster display, four abstracts were chosen for oral presentation at the conference and a further three were selected for inclusion in the QI session (TABLE 1).

Some excellent entries were received – well done to all of the authors and presenters for their amazing efforts and congratulations to this year’s winners.

TABLE 1 A list of the abstracts submitted for poster presentations. From these, four abstracts were chosen for oral presentation at the conference and a further three were selected for inclusion in the QI session.

Prize winning oral presentation

A new approach to perinatal post mortem consent training.
Asha Shenvi,¹ Jo Cookson,² Hannah Wood¹

¹University Hospitals of North Midlands NHS Trust; ²Staffordshire, Shropshire and Black Country Neonatal Operational Delivery Network

Background

All parents should be offered a post mortem examination of their baby. In 2016, MBRRACE-UK reported that post mortem was offered in 81.3% of neonatal deaths but consent was obtained in only 28.6%. Our network’s experience is similar with offer and uptake rates as low as 67% and 18%, respectively, in some units. Published evidence identifies multiple barriers to consent including issues related to training. Lack of knowledge among consent takers impacts the uptake of post mortem. In our region, pathology training days are too infrequent to meet demand. A working group was formed to develop a new e-learning training package that aims to meet the educational needs of consent takers and improve the post mortem rates.

Method

A national online survey was designed to gather information on health professionals’ current experiences of consent taking. The survey was hosted on the Survey Monkey website between May and October 2018. Health professionals who were expected to obtain consent from paediatric, neonatal, obstetric, midwifery and bereavement communities were invited to participate.

The results of the survey were used to inform the development of the new e-learning training package. Multidisciplinary input was obtained from perinatal pathologists, neonatologists, obstetricians, bereavement midwives, the local learning disability team, the national organ donation team and Sands, the stillbirth and neonatal death charity.

Results

Survey responses were analysed from 122 health professionals. Most agreed parents should be offered post mortem (94%). Forty-three per cent had not been trained to take consent, and those who had listed 18 different types of training. A perinatal post mortem had not been observed by over 50%. There was lack of consistency on what should be discussed with parents while obtaining consent. Confidence levels were variable with 28% feeling “not so confident” or “not at all confident”. Eighty-two per cent felt more extensive and accessible training is needed. The e-learning training package will be available to all consent takers. Content includes 5-6 modules that are mapped to the Sands and the Human Tissue Authority guidance. A multi model approach to learning is included with case studies, case vignettes, questions and answers, videos and animations. The learner will also be required to observe a perinatal post mortem. Optional content will be available for parents.

Conclusion

The uptake of perinatal post mortem remains low. Our national survey identified that the Sands prerequisites for consent takers are not being met and highlighted the need for standardised training. We have developed a multi-model e-learning training package that will be freely available to consent takers. We anticipate this will improve health professionals’ ability to offer post mortem and subsequently impact uptake rates positively.

Prize winning poster

24-hour stability study of noradrenaline infusions in the simulated NICU environment. Lisa Kaiser, Heike Rabe, Bhavik Patel