BAPM launches QI Toolkit on Antenatal Optimisation

BAPM has published a new quality improvement (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 antenatal optimisation interventions to improve preterm outcomes.

The 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 BAPM that as a whole make up a Perinatal Optimisation Care Pathway. These include Normothermia (already published), Early Maternal Breastmilk and Optimal Cord Management (to be published later this year). 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."

To find out more visit:

www.bapm.org/posts/251-new-bapm-qi-toolkit-on-antenatal-optimisation-published