Abstract
Background
Obstetric triage is usually undertaken by a midwife and involves conducting a physical
assessment to identify a woman’s presenting problem. The Birmingham Symptom-specific
Obstetric Triage System (BSOTS) was developed in the United Kingdom (UK) to overcome
challenges associated with triaging women by standardising the maternity triage process.
The Australian study site is the first hospital outside the UK to implement this approach.
Aim
To evaluate the implementation of the BSOTS in an Australian tertiary maternity service.
Methods
A multi-method approach including pre-implementation BSOTS education evaluations (n = 26),
post-implementation clinical data audit (n = 660), and staff focus groups (n = 9)
was undertaken. Participants included midwives who worked in the Maternity Assessment
Centre. Data of women who had attended the service during BSOTS implementation was
analysed in the audit component.
Findings
Staff valued the BSOTS standardised approach to maternity triage, particularly for
midwives new to the role. The retrospective audit showed that time to triage and time
to care outcomes for women improved from pre-implementation audits and were mostly
adhering to auditable standards. Lack of knowledge amongst staff (especially medical
staff) regarding the BSOTS was considered a barrier to the effective flow of care
of women through the centre.
Discussion
The BSOTS is a useful approach for prioritising women’s care. Ensuring that all staff
are aware of the system and its benefits is likely to enhance implementation and improve
triage outcomes.
Conclusion
The BSOTS is an innovative midwife led practice change that is applicable to the Australian
context, and benefits women, midwives, and the maternity service.
Abbreviations:
BSOTS (Birmingham Symptom-specific Obstetric Triage System), MAC (Maternity Assessment Centre)Keywords
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: September 18, 2022
Accepted:
September 8,
2022
Received in revised form:
September 7,
2022
Received:
May 26,
2022
Publication stage
In Press Corrected ProofIdentification
Copyright
© 2022 Australian College of Midwives. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
