Biomedical subjects
Birgit Bødker
Publications and source records attributed to Birgit Bødker.
[Intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy treated with ursodeoxycholic acid. Results from a two-year survey at Rigshospitalet, Skejby Hospital and Odense University Hospital].
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Using the Nordic-Baltic perinatal death classification to assess perinatal care in Ukraine.
OBJECTIVE: To identify health care issues important to reduce the perinatal mortality rate (PMR) in Ukraine. STUDY DESIGN: Perinatal deaths in the Donetsk region (Ukraine) in 1997-1998 were compared with those in Denmark in 1996 by using the Nordic-Baltic classification for perinatal deaths. Clinical guidelines, use of technology and rates of interventions in the two regions were described. RESULTS: A two-fold increase in PMR was found in Ukraine compared to Denmark, mainly explained by higher rates of antenatal deaths of growth restricted fetuses, intrapartum deaths, and neonatal deaths due to asphyxia. Vacuum extraction is rarely used in Ukraine. The clinical guidelines for care differ significantly between the two regions. CONCLUSION: Appropriate use of technology and implementation of evidence-based guidelines should be a matter of high priority in the Donetsk region, Ukraine.
Introducing qualitative perinatal audit in a tertiary hospital in Sudan.
In a 3-month period, May to August 2000, the perinatal mortality rate at Omdurman Maternity Hospital (OMH), Sudan, was 8.2%. Two groups of perinatal deaths, intrapartum deaths of non-malformed infants and neonatal deaths of mature infants above 34 weeks, both considered to be potentially avoidable by improved care, were in excess when compared with other regions. It was therefore decided to perform in-depth assessment of cases in these two groups. An interdisciplinary internal audit was designed in collaboration with two external obstetricians. The audit activity was preceded by a 2-day workshop at the hospital. Individual assessments based on 43 detailed narratives were followed by regular consensus meetings. This structure seemed useful for interdisciplinary discussions, and the audit process resulted in several specific suggestions for quality improvement in data collection, interdisciplinary collaboration, and obstetric and neonatal care. The present audit activity is not very resource demanding and therefore a good starting point for quality assurance in a developing country. However, since adverse outcome audit only focuses on selected cases and may encourage interventions without considering the full impact on the population, it should not stand alone. Audit of perinatal deaths should be combined with other quantitative and qualitative quality assessment activities for improvement of perinatal care.
Are intrapartum and neonatal deaths in breech delivery at term potentially avoidable?--a blinded controlled audit.
The aim of the study was to investigate whether deaths in term breech deliveries could have been avoided with improved care during pregnancy and delivery. All cases of intrapartum/early neonatal death of nonmalformed infants in breech presentation delivered at term in Denmark in the period 1982-92 were studied. For each of the 12 deaths two controls matched by presentation and planned mode of delivery were selected. Eleven obstetricians assessed the care through narratives that ended when the infant was delivered to umbilicus and stated if the infant died, and whether the "possible death" was potentially avoidable. The majority thought that 42% of cases and 9% of the controls had died. Antenatal and intrapartum care was suboptimal respectively in 17% and 25% of cases and 4% and 26% of controls. The assumed death was found to have been potentially avoidable in 58% of cases and 17% of controls. Care in pregnancies with IUGR, pre-eclampsia, placental abruption, post-maturity, the time from decision to performance of cesarean section, and compliance between patient and professionals were more often criticized in cases than in controls. Controlled audit seemed to be a valuable tool for quality improvement and for validation of litigation activities. In conclusion, infant death at term breech delivery was to a large extent potentially avoidable. However, even in controls, suboptimal care was not uncommon.