Quality Improvement

To support the new screening options for Down syndrome and other conditions, the National Screening Unit has developed:

1. Guidelines for maternity providers, to support best practice. The guidelines will assist practitioners to provide the new screening options in a nationally consistent and safe way, and provide women with information to make an informed decision about screening.

Guidelines for Maternity Providers Offering Antenatal Screening for Down syndrome and Other Conditions in New Zealand November 2009

Hard copies of the guidelines can be ordered from the NSU by contacting Cheryl Palmer, EA, Antenatal & Newborn Team: cheryl_palmer@moh.govt.nz or 09 580 9080. An A4 summary sheet can be used in conjunction with the guidelines. A laminated version is available by contacting Cheryl.

2. Consumer resources to provide women and their families/whanau with information about screening. These are available via www.healthed.govt.nz or your local DHB health resource distributor.

3. Five online education modules for maternity providers:

Module 1: Screening: Principles and Practice
Module 2: Quality Improvements for Antenatal Screening for Down syndrome and Other Conditions (QIASD)
Module 3: Universal Offer Antenatal HIV Screening Programme (AHIV)
Module 4: Universal Newborn Hearing Screening and Early Intervention Programme (UNHSEIP)
Module 5: Newborn Metabolic Screening Programme (NMSP)

These modules have been approved by the Midwifery Council of New Zealand for five elective points per module. They have also been approved for up to 2 hours per module Continuing Medical Education for General Practice Educational Programme Stage 2 (formerly AVE) and Maintenance of Professional Standards purposes. Please go to www.learnonline.health.nz to access the education modules.