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APHA Scientific Session and Event Listing

[ Recorded presentation ] Recorded presentation

Innovative web-based system used for prospective collection of perinatal data

Bruce Ackerman1, Ellen Harris-Braun1, Saraswathi Vedam, MSN, CNM2, and Deren E. Bader, CPM, DrPH1. (1) Division of Research, Midwives Alliance of North America, 19 Berkshire Ridge Road, Canaan, NY 12029, 518-781-0465, ellen@manastats.org, (2) School of Nursing, Yale University, 943 Boston Post Rd, Madison, CT 06443

The Midwives Alliance of North America (MANA) has collected perinatal data on planned midwife-attended home births since 1993. In 2004 MANA replaced paper-based data forms with a web-based data-collection system. The quality and scope of this instrument has been assessed by a multidisciplinary panel of researchers and clinicians. It ensures prospective data collection and is designed for internal reliability as well as congruence with other datasets. It creates a unique and comprehensive databank for research on midwifery care and normal birth in all settings including home, birth center and hospital.

Each midwife has an account for access to the customized system. She logs on and completes an interactive data form over the course of care, including data on medical history, demographics, outcomes, interventions, and details of perinatal care. Prior to data form submission, the software checks for completeness and internal consistency, allowing the midwife to make corrections. After systematic review by a Data Review Team, the record enters the research database, ready for analysis. The midwife may also view her own cumulative statistics.

The web-based system allows for different data forms and supports various protocols for prospective collection, required consents, data review, etc. This flexibility enables evolution of MANA's data form and protocol.

This session describes and demonstrates Version 1 of this web-based system for collecting prospective data from contributors under a defined protocol, including software, support, specific human-subject protections, and data management, as well as results and lessons learned over the system's two years of operation for MANA.

Learning Objectives:

  • At the conclusion of the session, participants will be able to

    Keywords: Data Collection, Internet Tools

    Related Web page: www.manastats.org/mana.cgi?p=about

    Presenting author's disclosure statement:

    Any relevant financial relationships? Yes
    Organization Clinical/Research Area Type of Relationship
    Harris-Braun Enterprises web-site development HBE is my consulting company, hired by MANA to develop the MANA Statistics Web site. My work on the project has been part paid, part volunteer, and I also volunteer for MANA as part of the Division of Research. This is HBE's only healthcare project. and Other (please describe)

    Any company-sponsored training?No
     
    Any institutionally-contracted trials related to this submission?No

    I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.

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