Experiences of implementing and working with obstetric emergency triage: A qualitative study among Swedish midwifes, auxiliary nurses, and obstetricians

Introduction

Obstetric emergency triage is a relatively new form of emergency triage and is not yet implemented in Sweden. Adaptations enables safe assessment of the childbearing woman, fetus and labor status. Failure to identify severely ill childbearing women and women post childbirth has repeatedly led to adverse outcomes. Introducing obstetric emergency triage constitutes a profound alteration in management that may challenge preconceived notions on how to provide best care. This study aimed at exploring and describing obstetric staff’s experiences of working with obstetric emergency triage.

Materials and Methods

Thirteen obstetricians, midwives and auxiliary nurses at an obstetric emergency department in eastern Sweden were recruited by purposeful sampling. Individual qualitative interviews underwent inductive qualitative content analysis according to Graneheim and Lundman.

Results

An overarching theme − A new mindset − emerged from the analysis, comprising the four categories: Implications for the individual caregiver’s own work, An improved organization, Improved patient care. Initial skepticism to triage changed towards a positive attitude during implementation, identifying barriers and facilitators for successful implementation.

Conclusions

This first study exploring Swedish obstetric staff’s perception of obstetric emergency triage as a working method suggests that, given time for implementation, a new mindset in obstetric emergency care might develop. Triage provides structure and a sense of control through a clear and quick overview of childbearing women seeking emergency care and enhances teamwork by improving communication. Triage directs attention toward aberrations and promotes reflection and action, improving patient safety.