Acceptability of the fetal electrocardiographic (STAN) monitoring system by staff at a high risk maternity unit

To assess staff acceptability of STAN monitoring system.

This was a prospective study of health care professionals involved in the first 18 months of STAN use at a high risk maternity unit.

During the study period 75% of midwives and 80% of doctors questioned felt confident when interpreting STAN cases. A total of 88% of midwives and 90% of doctors felt adequately supported in their actual clinical use of the system. Of all the obstetricians who used the STAN, 95% felt it was an acceptable alternative to fetal blood sampling. One of the main complaints was poor signal quality which occurred in 16% of cases. As many as 97% of doctors and 96% of midwives considered STAN to be an acceptable way of monitoring high risk women after its introduction.

Introduction of a new monitoring system to a high risk labor ward is possible, and acceptable to its staff. Constant practical and theoretical support and adherence to strict, easily understood guidelines is required.