Obstetric Anaesthesia: Scientific Evidence
Guidelines
Management of Pre-eclampsia and Eclampsia
Management of Regional Analgesia for Labour
Hypotension During Regional Anaesthesia for Caesarean Birth
Aspiration Prophylaxis for Pregnant Patients Requiring Anaesthesia
Oral Intake During Labour
Introduction
The ready availability of up to date peer-reviewed information is an essential element of modern clinical practice. In February 2007 the Obstetric Anaesthesia Special Interest Group commenced the task of establishing such a knowledge base with the broad purpose of creating an information resource on key clinical topic areas in obstetric anaesthesia based on best-available evidence specifically tailored to the needs of our region. It was envisaged that such a knowledge base could have the capacity to not only facilitate the maintenance of high standards of clinical care by anaesthetists but also help disseminate scientific evidence to consumers and to other health professionals and policy makers. With the full support of the three parent organisations a steering group was established and with the direct contribution of numerous clinicians and academics across our region the concept became a reality following an official launch at a scientific meeting of the Obstetric Anaesthesia Special Interest Group at Blenheim New Zealand in October 2008.
In principle it was intended that the finished product should incorporate the following elements:
- a readily accessible electronic format
- the option of a print version to be created by the end-user
- the opportunity for the clinician end-user to link the knowledge base to quality assurance activities
- a governance structure which could ensure that the content remains up-to-date and the entity is sustainable
The specific practical features that have been developed include:
- a web-based format generally accessible to any user of the internet,
- a web-page structure which includes:
- an electronic scientific evidence document with hypertext flexibility,
- a PDF version of this document,
- access to the cited references through the ANZCA library accessible to clinicians through their usual password access,
- a user feedback link to promote development cognisant of the needs of clinicians and consumers.
The steering group and contributors believe they have created a resource that is both current and relevant and which will continue to evolve over time to continuously improve quality and safety in obstetric anaesthesia.
Associate Professor Scott Simmons
On behalf of the Working Party
Summary of Key Messages
Click here for Summary of key messages
Levels of Evidence
Levels of evidence are documented according to the NHMRC designation (1999).
| I | Evidence obtained from a systematic review of all relevant randomised controlled trials |
| II |
Evidence obtained from at least one properly-designed randomised controlled trial |
| III-1 | Evidence obtained from well-designed pseudorandomised controlled trials (alternate allocation or some other method) |
| III-2 | Evidence obtained from comparative studies (including systematic reviews of such studies) with concurrent controls and allocation not randomised, cohort studies, case-control studies, or interrupted time series with a control group |
| III-3 | Evidence obtained from comparative studies with historical control, two or more single arm studies, or interrupted time series without a parallel control group |
| IV | Evidence obtained from case series, either post-test or pre-test/post-test |
CPD Credits
This activity has been approved for CPD Credits under Category 1 level 1 (reading) Category 3 level 1 (Clinical Audits)
Contributors
Click here for a list of contributors
Contact Us
We welcome your comments and suggestions. If you wish to leave feedback, or to contact a member of the working party please click here
