PT - JOURNAL ARTICLE AU - L Higgins AU - C Mahoney AU - A Baker AU - J Gillham AU - C Tower TI - Assessing the process for induction of labour: effect on service rationalisation AID - 10.1136/adc.2010.189605.2 DP - 2010 Jun 01 TA - Archives of Disease in Childhood - Fetal and Neonatal Edition PG - Fa63--Fa63 VI - 95 IP - Suppl 1 4099 - http://fn.bmj.com/content/95/Suppl_1/Fa63.2.short 4100 - http://fn.bmj.com/content/95/Suppl_1/Fa63.2.full SO - Arch Dis Child Fetal Neonatal Ed2010 Jun 01; 95 AB - Background One in five pregnant women in the United Kingdom undergo induction of labour (IOL), occupying a significant number of maternity beds. Concerns over delays in IOL processes prompted evaluation and modification of this service in our unit. Our objective was to reduce admission to delivery times (ADT), increase vaginal delivery rates and assess secondary outcomes including postpartum haemorrhage (PPH) rates following IOL. Methods 262 admissions for IOL were reviewed in three cycles over 15 months. Following cycle 1, midwives were trained to conduct IOL and an IOL proforma introduced. After cycle 2, a dedicated four-bed IOL bay was introduced. IOL was conducted with prostaglandin gel, followed by artificial rupture of membranes and oxytocin. Statistical significance was tested using one-way analysis of variance (Kruskal–Wallis) for ADT and χ2 test for vaginal delivery and PPH rates. Results See table. Cycle123p ValueNumber of patients1008082ADT (Hours) (Median, IQR)37.72 (27.73–59.91)29.79 (14.42–48.74)28.07 (17.70–45.16)0.004Vaginal delivery (%)67.6877.5074.390.32PPH (%)37.1135.4432.100.7 Conclusion The training of midwives to conduct IOL and provision of a dedicated IOL bay have resulted in a significant fall in median ADT from 37.72 to 28.07 h, but no significant change in vaginal delivery or PPH rates. These changes may result in improved efficiencies to the NHS but further work is required to investigate patient satisfaction and to reduce residual delays in the IOL process at our unit.