Discover results and outcomes
The implementation of the OVB Safety Bundle at Monash Health delivered significant improvements in clinical outcomes and staff wellbeing, including:
32%
reduction in practices that were outside accepted safety guidelines
26%
reduction in unsuccessful OVB requiring caesarean section or sequential instruments
76%
reduction in babies born in an unexpected position
25%
reduction in neonatal morbidity
The reduction in neonatal morbidity was primarily driven by a 48% reduction in severe neonatal birth trauma and a 33% reduction in neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) admissions.
Qualitative analysis also identified significantly improved communication, workplace safety culture, ease of escalation and patient birth experience.
We have had over 1,000 responses from birthing women about their birth experience, with over 500 women interested in being involved in future research about women’s birth experience.
Safety Culture – safer for staff, safer for patients
Clarity and Structure
“Everybody knows what’s next. Everyone works as a team, and it just eliminates the panic.” – Senior Midwife
Agency and Empowerment
“It allows the least skilled person to grab this form and feel pretty confident they have checked off all the main steps.” – Junior Midwife
Learning and Adaptability
“It’s important to be a bit flexible and constantly getting feedback.” – Senior Midwife
Mutual Respect
“It has always, right from the very beginning been a joint project.” – Obstetrician
Escalation
“It gives the midwifery team the permission to challenge in a non-threatening way.” – Obstetrician
Resourcing
“The accessibility of the form itself, the accessibility of the ultrasound.” – Junior Midwife
Publications
For more information, take a look at our recent publications:
Research partner
This research study was conducted in partnership with Monash University.
