An interactive decision making tool to improve continuity of carer in maternity health service re-design

Abstract

Background: At a statewide forum in November 2016 it was identified that maternity services in Queensland improve woman centred care by strengthening four key maternity areas of service delivery: Building a Collaborative Leadership Culture, Identification and Management of Risk in Pregnancy, Models of Care and Workforce; and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples. Four maternity service action groups (MSAG) were tasked to address these key areas. Aim: Develop an interactive decision making framework (DMF) tool to increase maternity continuity of carer models. Innovation description: An external provider to Queensland Health was procured to build the interactive electronic tool to support health services plan, develop and transition to contemporary evidenced based models. The DMF supports services to contextualise delivery of continuity of carer to local circumstances. Considerations included service demand, geographical circumstances, required resources, and optimal maternity bio psychosocial outcomes. Steps undertaken to inform tool development included a literature review, maternity site visits and a forum canvassing the collective vision of service leaders, clinicians and consumers. The essential components for the interactive tool were refined between all stakeholders. Products developed by the four MSAGs were also integrated to the DMF as a library of complementary resources to further inform health services during their redesign process, and when using the tool. Evaluation: An exemplar site where recent service redesign occurred was chosen to test efficacy of the tool. Modifications of the tool are being made before testing with rural, regional and metropolitan sites. Early adopter sites have been identified to implement the DMF tool in March 2018. These outcomes will be presented at conference. Generalisability: One third of Queensland Hospital and Health Services will have tested the tool providing confidence for use in Queensland. The tool has applicability to other similar jurisdictions looking to expand continuity of carer models.