Credit Points 10

Legacy Code 401040

Coordinator Hazel Keedle Opens in new window

Description The Australian College of Midwives and the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) provide guidelines to assist midwives to recognise when to refer or consult with other midwives or health care practitioners, as well as collaborative care arrangements. This subject provides students with the knowledge to collaborate with all health professionals. This includes assessing procedures for managing obstetric emergencies; transferring women or newborns; assessing referral pathways; and caring for bereaved families.

School Nursing & Midwifery

Discipline Midwifery

Student Contribution Band HECS Band 1 10cp

Check your HECS Band contribution amount via the Fees page.

Level Undergraduate Level 3 subject

Pre-requisite(s) NURS 2004 and NURS 2026 for program 4684

Co-requisite(s) NURS 3006 and NURS 3030 for program 4684

Restrictions

Students must be enrolled in 4684 Bachelor of Midwifery.

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this subject, students should be able to:

1. Identify emerging and escalating situations that may require referral or additional care and discuss the referral processes and requirements.
2. Analyse and discuss transfer policies and procedures for women and neonates; the various methods of transfer; and the implications for women and their families.
3. Describe the role of the midwife as part of a collaborative team in transferring and receiving women and /or neonates to or from another health centre or hospital.
4. Critically analyse collaborative practices within a multidisciplinary team.
5. Reflect on the role of the midwife and other health professionals in providing multidisciplinary care in complex and emergency situations.
6. Critique a hospital policy or guideline in relation to complex care episodes.
7. Examine communication skills for collaborative practices and cultural considerations for women, neonates and families.

Subject Content

1. Referral from Primary Care
• Reasons for referral - Australian College of Midwives guidelines
• Issues associated with referral

2. Transfers of Women and Neonates
• Transfer policies and procedures
• Transportation (air / ambulance)
• Receiving women and neonates
• Maternity service issues and women’s choices if she lives in an isolated area
• Needs of the sick woman /neonate and the impact on significant others
• Neonatal Emergency Transport Service
• NSW Tiered hospitals
• NSW Pregnancy and Newborn Services Network
• Transfer from home to hospital

3. Models of collaborative care
• Communication skills and negotiated practice and collaboration with medical practitioners or other health care and community teams
• Respecting and promoting effective relationships between home / hospital / community (confidentiality, personal safety)
• Cultural considerations for neonates and families
• Supporting the specific needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women and their communities.
• Collaborating with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander services to provide culturally safe care.
• Preparing for the new graduate position

4. Escalating complexities
• Warning flags
• Student midwives actions
• Midwives responses
• Communication
• Documentation
• Interprofessional responsibilities
• Identify policies and guidelines for managing emerging and escalating emergency situations

Special Requirements

Essential equipment

Essential Equipment: Access to an internet enabled device is essential in order to be able to: access course materials; to participate in discussion groups; and to access additional resources provided by the lecturer during the session. 
See http://www.westernsydney.edu.au/currentstudents/current_students/services_and_facilities/uwsonline_student_support for further information.