P154 Improving the haemoglobinopathy screening programme for high-risk patients in a tertiary maternity hospital in dublin, a pilot quality improvement initiative. (June 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Finnegan, Jennifer; Corcoran, John David; Corrina, McMahon
• Is Part Of: Archives of disease in childhood. Volume 104:(2019)Supplement 3
• Page Start: A219
• Page End: A219
• Publication Date: 2019-06
• Subjects: Children -- Diseases -- Periodicals; Infants -- Diseases -- Periodicals; 618.920005
• DOI: 10.1136/archdischild-2019-epa.509
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0003-9888

Abstract

Abstract : Introduction: A more coordinated haemoglobinopathy screening is desired across European countries1 . A non-funded pilot screening programme was implemented in six Irish maternity units in 20052 . It aims to identify patients with haemoglobinopathies such as sickle cell disease and thalassemia, by screening patients from high-risk ethnic origins. As screening involves identifying disease carriers, ensuring informed consent is vital. Since the introduction of an electronic healthcare record in the Rotunda hospital in November 2017, patients no longer sign consent forms before blood samples are taken. Attendance rates at haematology clinics are poor, it is proposed that this is due to lack of education about screening and lack of early contact with results2 . Aim: To ensure appropriate information sharing between laboratories. To ensure parents are fully informed of the benefits of screening and that their consent to testing is recorded. To ensure correspondence is sent to all families informing them of positive test results and arranging a follow up appointment with haematology. To establish a successful pilot programme that can be expanded to all other maternity units. Methods: A cross-hospital working group was established. Following a literature review, the HSE Change Model was used as an organisational development model2 . An information leaflet, a consent form and a letter informing parents of abnormal results were developed. A standard Operating Procedure was agreed which outlines how screening will proceed uniformly across all hospitals. Further Steps: These improvement initiatives are being implemented in the Rotunda. An organisational development approach is used to ensure that consent is obtained and positive test results are acted upon. Rates of attendance at haematology OPD will be reviewed following implementation of changes. Following successful implementation, the initiative will be replicated in the other pilot hospitals and ultimately in all maternity hospitals in Ireland. References: Lobitz S, Telfer P, Cela E, Allaf B, Angastiniotis M, Backman Johansson C, Badens C, Bento C, Bouva MJ, Canatan D, Charlton M. Newborn screening for sickle cell disease in Europe: recommendations from a Pan-European Consensus Conference. British journal of haematology. 2018 Nov;183(4):648–60. Gibbons C, Geoghegan R, Conroy H, Lippacott S, O'Brien D, Lynam P, Langabeer L, Cotter M, Smith O, McMahon C. Sickle cell disease: time for a targeted neonatal screening programme. Irish medical journal . 2015 Feb 1.