‘A tool we need’: Midwives’ descriptions and recommendations of an ideal obstetric triage tool

BACKGROUND: The obstetric triage tool (OBTT) is used to record the clinical findings following obstetric triage (OBT). The recorded OBTT provides midwives with clinical information leading to diagnosis of existing and potential maternal and foetal problems that may lead to intrapartum complications, planning of specific midwifery care and communication among the midwifery team about the woman in labour. AIM: This study aimed to explore and describe midwives’ experiences of the OBTT used during admission of women in labour in the Bojanala district. SETTING: This study was conducted in the two selected facilities in Bojanala district in North West province. METHODS: This study is a derivative of a major study, entitled ‘Midwives’ experiences of OBT by midwives in the Bojanala district’. A qualitative, explorative and descriptive research design was followed. Nine purposefully sampled midwives with over 5 years of clinical midwifery experience, employed in the Bojanala district, attended a semistructured interview. Data obtained were analysed using Colaizzi’s descriptive method of data analysis according to the themes and categories which emerged. RESULTS: One central theme with 10 subthemes emerged. Midwives verbalised their dissatisfaction with the current OBTT and made recommendations for the revision of the tool. CONCLUSION: The study highlighted midwives’ experiences of the OBTT and recommendations for an ideal tool based on their knowledge of admission of a woman in labour. CONTRIBUTION: This study provides a new OBTT from midwives’ perspectives that could be useful in improving pregnancy and labour outcomes in clinical midwifery practice.