The development of clinical indicators--the impact on midwifery practice in Queensland in the future

Perineal trauma is the most frequently reported complication of labour and delivery in the Qld Perinatal Data Collection. It is documented that some individual accoucheurs seem to be particularly skillful in assisting at birth in a way that minimises perineal trauma. Recent trends within the Qld health industry have emphasised the importance of quality improvement activities focussing on health outcomes. Midwives accoucheur most of the "normal" deliveries in public hospitals, thus it is important that midwives play a leading part in the development and improvement of tools which identify quality outcomes and pinpoint areas for improvement. This study aims to benchmark current practices regarding perineal outcomes. Moreover, the authors aim to initiate discussion towards the development of the first clinical indicators appropriate to midwifery care.