| Summary: | Introduction
The incidences and types of missed nursing care in the acute care and community sectors are both ubiquitous and quantifiable, however, there are few research studies relating to the type and frequency of missed maternity-based care for mothers and families. The aim of this study is to estimate the incidences and types of Australian missed midwifery care and to identify those factors that have causal links to it.
Methods
A non-experimental, descriptive method using a Likert developed MISSCARE
scale was used to ascertain consensus estimates made by Australian midwives. Electronic
invitations were extended to their membership using an inclusive link to the MISSCARE
survey. Inclusion criteria were all ANMF members who were midwives and currently
employed within the Australian public and private healthcare systems. Data analysis was
undertaken using both Rasch analysis and Structural Equation Modelling.
Results
The type and frequency of missed Australian midwifery care can be quantified
and several demographic factors are significant predictor variables for overall missed
midwifery care. The most prevalent aspects of missed care in the Australian midwifery
setting are midwives’ hand hygiene, supportive care, perinatal education, and surveillance
type midwifery practices.
Conclusions
As the frequencies and types of missed midwifery care in Australia have
been identified, it is possible for midwives to be mindful of minimising care omissions
related to hand hygiene, providing supportive care and education to mothers as well as
surveillance-type midwifery practices.
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