Audit incorporating avoidability and appropriate intervention can significantly decrease perinatal mortality.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the role of the ICA (Identification, Cause, Avoidable factor) Solution method of perinatal audit in reducing perinatal mortality.

DESIGN

Retrospective audit of 1,060 perinatal deaths between 1 January 1991 and 31 December 1992.

SETTING

Livingstone Hospital Maternity Service.

SUBJECTS

One thousand and sixty perinatal deaths, where the gestational age exceeded 28 weeks or, when gestational age was unknown, the birth weight was equal to or exceeded 1,000 g.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

All perinatal deaths were identified and classified by primary obstetric cause for perinatal loss. In the second year of the study avoidable factors were sought and, if found, graded and categorised.

RESULTS

The major primary obstetric causes of perinatal loss identified and amenable to intervention were intrapartum trauma, intrapartum asphyxia and infection. In the second year of study potentially avoidable factors were sought and identified in almost 50% of perinatal deaths. Appropriate intervention lowered the perinatal mortality rate by 23% (P < 0.05; odds ratio 0.76; 95% confidence interval 0.67-0.86).

CONCLUSION

The ICA Solution method of perinatal audit identified problems in overall obstetric care, facilitating a significant fall in perinatal mortality.