Five multifunction otoscopes to help examine newborns’ eyes have been delivered to the Yorke and Northern Local Health Network’s (YNLHN) birthing sites as part the LHN’s broader plan to upskill midwives in the region to provide a comprehensive assessment of the baby.
Newborn babies undergo a comprehensive wellness check before they can be discharged from hospital, including eye assessments, however, wait times to perform them can range from eight to 24 hours.
The YNLHN has recently been upskilling its midwives through online SA Health training and one-on-one hands-on experience with newborns to allow them to perform the procedure, helping to get new mums and their bubs home quicker.
The new multifunction otoscopes delivered to the Wallaroo, Clare, Port Pirie, Jamestown and Crystal Brook sites will enable midwives to test certain parts of the eye that cannot be assessed without this necessary medical equipment.
The purchase was made possible thanks to funding provided by The Hospital Research Foundation Group.
Vanessa Ryan, Yorke and Northern Local Health Network Divisional Director – Midwifery, Perinatal and Women’s Health, said:
“While the head-to-toe assessments themselves take on average 15 to 20 minutes to do, the wait time to get busy medical colleagues available to perform them means new mothers are spending longer than necessary in hospital and not recovering at home.
“By getting midwives to perform these assessments using the new equipment on newborns, it will significantly reduce the wait time, and build on the trust and confidence that has been developed through the continuity model of midwifery care offered by Yorke Northern birthing services.
“Women and families will have confidence and assurance to go home after their baby is checked and continued to be looked after by a known midwife postnatally in their home.”
