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PSANZ Perinatal Mortality Group-PMG

In acknowledging the importance of developing a systematic approach to the audit and review of perinatal deaths in Australia and New Zealand, the Perinatal Society of Australia and New Zealand (PSANZ) endorsed the establishment of a special interest group for Perinatal Mortality in March 2003.

The establishment of this group was the culmination of collaborative efforts of members of the PSANZ over many years. The first major activity of the Perinatal Mortality Group (PMG) was the development of a classification system for perinatal deaths. The PSANZ Perinatal Death and Neonatal Death Classifications have been developed and are in use across Australia and some jurisdictions in New Zealand. The development of a Clinical practice guideline for perinatal mortality audit incorporating psychological and social aspects of perinatal bereavement is the second major activity of the PMG. The purpose of the guideline is to enable a systematic approach to the investigation and audit of perinatal deaths across Australia and New Zealand.

Membership of the PMG now includes multidisciplinary membership from across Australia and New Zealand. All members of PSANZ are welcome to join the PMG. The PMG would like to acknowledge and thank SIDS and Kids Queensland for their funding support which enabled the establishment of the PMG Secretariat and for the ongoing financial support provided by PSANZ.

In acknowledging the importance of developing a systematic approach to the audit and review of perinatal deaths in Australia and New Zealand, the Perinatal Society of Australia and New Zealand (PSANZ) endorsed the establishment of a special interest group for Perinatal Mortality in March 2003. The establishment of this group was the culmination of collaborative efforts of members of the PSANZ over many years.

Membership

All PSANZ members are welcome to join the Perinatal Mortality Group (PMG). The aim is to have multidisciplinary membership with geographic representation from across Australia and New Zealand (ANZ) and to also have representation from the following: State and Territory Perinatal Committees; the National Perinatal Statistics Unit; and the Perinatal Data Collections within ANZ.

If you wish to join, please complete PMG Membership Application Form and fax to the Coordinating Centre :

Vicki Flenady
PSANZ-PMG Coordinating Centre
Mater Health Services
Phone +61 7 3163 1592
Fax +61 7 3163 1588
Email mailto:Vicki.Flenady@mater.org.au

Steering Group

A PMG Steering Group has been established to oversee the activities of the PMG. This includes management of the PSANZ perinatal mortality classification and the PSANZ Perinatal Mortality Audit Guidelines updates and to oversee the activities of special working parties of the PMG. The Steering Group will seek the advice and consensus from the wider SIG membership on revisions to the classifications and guidelines and other issues as required.

Terms of Reference

To implement the PSANZ Perinatal Mortality Audit Guideline including the PSANZ clinical classification system for perinatal mortality across Australia and New Zealand

To undertake ongoing evaluation of the PSANZ Perinatal Mortality Audit Guidelines and the PSANZ Perinatal and Neonatal Death Classifications and to implement changes as required
To provide advice for Colleges and other bodies on standards for perinatal mortality classification and audit
To collaborate with national and international groups in the research and audit activities aimed at reducing perinatal mortality.

ANZSA and PSANZ PMG eLearning Tool

Currently being finalised, the ANZSA and PSANZ PMG E-Learning Package is an electronic supplement to the IMPROVE program specifically targeted for clinicians, midwives, obstetricians, gynaecologists, pathologist and bereavement specialists working in regional and rural areas, or unable to attend a workshop. There is also an opportunity in the future for IMPROVE Program attendees to use this tool as a refresher.

This tool will provide a step-by step guide to the PSANZ Guidelines through station specific modules.

Modules include:

Introduction
Placental and Post Mortem Examination
Investigation of Perinatal Death
Perinatal Mortality (PNM) Classifications
Clinical Considerations and Psychosocial Aspects of Care
Documentation

If you would like access to the draft eLearning Tool please contact your ANZSA Regional Coordinator or the ANZSA Secretariat at madeleine.elder@mater.org.au

PSANZ Clinical Practice Guideline for Perinatal Mortality

The purpose of the guideline is to enable a systematic approach to the investigation and audit of perinatal deaths across Australia and New Zealand and to enhance the provision of appropriate care for parents.

The intended audience for the guideline is clinicians providing care for mothers and newborns in hospitals in Australia and New Zealand, and all other parties with an interest in perinatal mortality audit and research.

The PSANZ-PMG would like to acknowledge the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, SANDS Queensland and SIDS and Kids for providing financial assistance for development of the initial version of the guideline in 2004.

The guideline has been updated as a collaborative effort between the PSANZ-PMG and ANZSA.

PNM Classifications and Guide For Use

PNM Classifications are listed in Chapter 7 - Perinatal mortality classifications of the PSANZ Clinical Practice Guideline for Perinatal Mortality.

Stillbirth Research

The Australian and New Zealand Stillbirth Alliance (ANZSA) and the International Stillbirth Alliance (ISA) have taken over the research that was being conducted by the PSANZ Stillbirth Collaboration Group which can now be found at ANZSA:

http://www.stillbirthalliance.org/anz/

Perinatal Reports

Australia

Australia's mothers and babies

Australian Capital Territory:
Maternal & Perinatal health publications

Queensland:
Perinatal Statistics

New South Wales:
Mothers and Babies reports

Northern Territory:
Mothers and Babies reports

South Australia:
Pregnancy Outcome in South Australia; and Maternal, Perinatal and Infant Mortality in South Australia
Western Australia:
Perinatal Statistics in Western Australia

New Zealand

Report on Maternity, Maternal and Newborn Information

International Perinatal Reports

CEMACH (Confidential Enquiry into Maternal and Child Health):

Confidential Enquiry into Stillbirths and Deaths in Infancy (CESDI) and the Confidential Enquiry into Maternal Deaths (CEMD)

Contact Us

Vicki Flenady
PMG Coordinating Centre
Mater Health Services
Phone: +61 7 3163 1592
Fax: +61 7 3163 1588
Email: Vicki.Flenady@mater.org.au

For further information about the PMG please contact a member of the Steering Group as follows:

Steering Group:

Names
James King (Chair)	Discipline	Obstetrics
	Location	Royal Women's Hospital CARLTON, VIC
	Email	James.King@dhs.vic.gov.au

Annabelle Chan	Discipline	Other Perinatal
	Location	Women's and Children's Hospital ADELAIDE, SA
	Email	Annabelle.Chan@dhs.sa.gov.au

Ross Haslam	Discipline	Neonatology
	Location	Women's and Children's Hospital ADELAIDE, SA
	Email	haslamr@wch.sa.gov.au

Lesley McCowan	Discipline	Obstetrics
	Location	National Women's Hospital AUCKLAND, NZ
	Email	l.mccowan@auckland.ac.nz

David Tudehope	Discipline	Neonatology
	Location	Mater Health Services, BRISBANE, QLD
	Email	David.Tudehope@mater.org.au

Vicki Flenady (Coordinator)	Discipline	Other Perinatal
	Location	Mater Health Services, BRISBANE, QLD
	Email	mailto:Vicki_Flenady@mater.org.au

Adrian Charles	Discipline	Other Perinatal
	Location	Women's and Children's Health Services, SUBIACO, WA
	Email	Adrian.Charles@health.wa.gov.au

Heather Jeffery	Discipline	Neonatology
	Location	Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Missenden Road, CAMPERDOWN, NSW
	Email	hjeffery@med.usyd.edu.au

Belinda Jennings	Discipline	Midwifery
	Location	King Edward Memorial Hospital, Bagot Road, SUBIACO, WA.
	Email	belinda.jennings@health.wa.gov.au

Deborah Harris	Discipline	Neonatal Nursing
	Location	Waikato Hospital, NZ.
	Email	harrisde@waikatodhb.govt.nz

Links

Organisations

ANZSA - Australia and New Zealand Stillbirth Alliance

ACNN - Australian College of Neonatal Nurses

ACMI - Australian College of Midwives Incorporated

ISPID:

Bonnie Babes Foundation: