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. 2017 May;176(5):669-672.
doi: 10.1007/s00431-017-2883-2. Epub 2017 Mar 9.

Maternal acceptability of pulse oximetry screening at home after home birth or very early discharge

Ilona C Narayen  1 , Adrian A Kaptein  2 , Janine A Hogewoning  3 , Nico A Blom  4 , Arjan B Te Pas  3
Affiliations

Maternal acceptability of pulse oximetry screening at home after home birth or very early discharge

Ilona C Narayen et al. Eur J Pediatr. 2017 May.

Abstract

The Netherlands has a unique perinatal healthcare system with a high rate of home births and very early discharge after delivery in hospital. Although we demonstrated that pulse oximetry (PO) screening for critical congenital heart disease is feasible in the Netherlands, it is unknown whether parents find the screening acceptable when performed in home birth setting. We assessed the acceptability of PO screening to mothers after screening in home setting. A questionnaire was sent electronically to mothers who gave birth and/or had postnatal care under supervision of a community midwife participating in the Pulse Oximetry Leiden Screening (POLS) study, a feasibility study of PO screening in the Dutch care system, performed in the Leiden region, the Netherlands. The questionnaire included questions based on satisfaction, general feelings, and perceptions of PO screening. A total of 1172/1521 (77%) mothers completed the questionnaire. Overall, mothers were happy with the performance of the test (95%), thought their baby was comfortable during the screening (90%) and did not feel stressed while the screening was performed (92%). Most mothers would recommend the test to others (93%) and considered the test important for all babies (93%).

Conclusion: Mothers of newborns participating in the study found the PO screening acceptable when performed at home. What is Known: • Pulse oximetry screening for critical congenital heart defects is (cost)effective and acceptable to mothers when performed in hospital. What is New: • Pulse oximetry screening for critical congenital heart defects is also acceptable for mothers when the screening is performed at home.

Keywords: Acceptability; Neonate; Pulse oximetry; Questionnaire; Screening.

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Conflict of interest statement

Funding

This study was funded by a grant from the Leiden University and Gratama Foundation (Grant UL 2014-03). None of the authors has a financial relationship with the organization that sponsored the research.

Conflict of interest

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

Ethical approval

All procedures performed in this study were in accordance with the ethical standards of the institutional and national research committee and with the 1964 Helsinki Declaration and its later amendments.

Informed consent

According to local ethical standards, informed consent is not needed for questionnaires.

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