University of Surrey - Guildford
Registry
  
 

  
 
Registry > Provisional Module Catalogue - UNDER CONSTRUCTION & SUBJECT TO CHANGE
View Module List by A.O.U. and Level  Alphabetical Module Code List  Alphabetical Module Title List  Alphabetical Old Short Name List  View Menu 
2011/2 Provisional Module Catalogue - UNDER CONSTRUCTION & SUBJECT TO CHANGE
 Module Code: NURM062 Module Title: PRINCIPLES AND PRACTICE OF PERINEAL REPAIR FOR THE MIDWIFE
Module Provider: Health & Social Care Short Name: PERINEALREPAIR
Level: M Module Co-ordinator: WILSON AE Dr (HSC)
Number of credits: 15 Number of ECTS credits: 7.5
 
Module Availability
Semester 1
Assessment Pattern
Portfolio of evidence to include:

Part A.

1. A learning contract formulated with instructor/supervisor in clinical practice

2. Clinical summative competency assessment through an OSCE undertaken by instructing midwife. Students will be expected to recognize, assess and implement perineal repair in the delivery suite, demonstrating cognitive, interpersonal and psychomotor skills, necessary for the competent repair of the perineum. Achievement of competency/proficiency at minimum of level 4. For midwives aiming towards instructing, supervising and assessing colleagues in the delivery suite/community level 6 will need to be achieved. 40% 40%

Part B.

1. A reflective case study to demonstrate a critical evaluation of the care and management provided to one woman who has sustained perineal trauma which has necessitated repair/non-repair. Words 2000

The student must demonstrate:
• rationale for reflective model used in essay appropriate for M level
• an integration of the theoretical aspects of the module which have influenced women’s choice, and joint clinical decision making
• evidence of appropriate reading and research to support reflection
• recommendations for future best practice

2. Completion of wound healing workbook
3. 3 Reading logs. 1 log must relate to the long term problems associated with perineal trauma 60%

Module Overview
Prerequisites/Co-requisites
Qualified midwife, ideally currently working or rotating into the delivery suite
Level 3 study if currently undertaking BSc (Hons) Professional Practice.
Module Aims
This self-directed work-based module is aimed for the midwife practising primarily in the delivery suite, either as a core midwife or on rotation. It is practice focused enabling the midwife to develop a minimum competence/proficiency at level 4 in the knowledge and skill of recognising and assessing perineal trauma, with the implementation of perineal repair independently. At Masters level the midwife would be expected to instruct, supervise and assess students and midwives in this skill (level 6 competency) using an Objective structured clinical examination (OSCE). The midwife will also be encouraged to take responsibility for the evaluation of their own practice in perineal repair and subsequent healing where possible. At M level the midwife would also be expected to take the lead in developing members of the team in the delivery suite or community setting.
Learning Outcomes
By the end of the module the student should be able to:

Subject knowledge and understanding

• discuss critically the historical perspective and current trends in perineal trauma management.
• discuss the anatomy and physiology of the pelvic floor and anorectum, relating these structures to the prevention, recognition and assessment of perineal trauma and repair in midwifery practice.
• develop a focused understanding of the women's physical and psychosocial experiences related to perineal trauma, repair and healing.
• evaluate qualitative research surrounding women’s sexuality and body image considering feminist issues within midwifery practice.
• develop a focused understanding of the risks and needs of women who have been identified with FGM .
• develop a critical understanding and analyse how best practice is underpinned by significant research evidence during pregnancy, labour and the puerperium in relation to perineal trauma, repair, wound healing and women’s short and long term physical and psychological wellbeing.
• relate to the national intrapartuum NICE (2007) guidelines EU Midwifery Directives and local policies, considering how these influence midwifery practice, client and professional informed choice and decision making in perineal repair.
• develop an in depth understanding of the relationship between the medico legal aspects of perineal trauma and risk management taking the lead in midiwfery practice.
• identify the importance of the multi-professional and multidisciplinary team and their contribution towards the care and management and audit of perineal trauma.
• identify with the ‘user’ valuing their experiences of perineal trauma and management


Cognitive skills

• critically analyse and evaluate the relevant research papers to underpin best practice in the prevention and recognition of perineal trauma, during pregnancy, intrapartum and postnatal care.
• critically analyse and evaluate the relevant research papers and proforma’s used in practice to underpin best practice in the recognition, assessment and subsequent management of the four degrees of perineal trauma.
• critically analyse and evaluate the relevant research papers to ensure appropriate materials and methods are selected when undertaking perineal repair of uncomplicated episiotomies and second degree tears by the midwife.
• critically analyse and evaluate the relevant research papers to integrate the evidence into clinical audit during postnatal care of the perineum.
• Reflect critically on own learning and identify how this is integrated into best practice.

• Key transferable skills

• make a considerable contribution in facilitating a partnership in care where the woman is involved in the process of informed choices and decision making to maximise perineal integrity, and minimise trauma and repair morbidity.
• implement evidence based practice to support the principles of clinical governance and risk management and the audit of perineal healing
• take the lead and facilitate a critical awareness and analysis of best practice, using the research evidence to discuss and debate contemporary and controversial issues amongst other members of the multi professional team in the workplace
• Instruct, supervise and assess the skill of perineal repair to other midwives and students when reaching a maximum level of competence (expert level 6)
• Facilitate as appropriate, referral to other members of the multidisciplinary team ie: physiotherapy, uro-gynaecology and organisations such as Relate.
Module Content
• Overview of the history of perineal trauma and repair
• anatomy and physiology of the pelvic floor and anorectum
• a critical evaluation of the role of the midwife in the prevention of perineal trauma
• current rationale for performing an episiotomy
• definitions and NICE (2007) classifications of trauma sustained to the pelvic floor that require repair
• recognition and accurate assessment of all degrees of perineal trauma using a recognised perineal trauma assessment proforma
• current recommendations for undertaking perineal repair, methods and materials for repair
• perineal repair 'hands on' workshops
• perineal infiltration, epidural top up prior to repair
• safety with regard to universal precautions
• principles of wound healing, postnatal care and audit of perineal healing
• sexuality, body image and FGM related to perineal management
• record keeping, risk management and clinical governance
• ‘Evidence for Best Practice’ guidelines /policies and EU Directives
• women's issues related to childbirth, perineal trauma, repair and subsequent morbidity, rethinking a new midwifery 'paradigm' for practice integrating feminism and gender sensitive issues
• Influence of social policy and organisational issues in care delivery – including training and competency in perineal repair
• medico-legal issues
• collaboration with physiotherapy, obstetric consultant uro-gynaecology, perineal trauma clinics and support organisations
• knowledge and change theory responsibility for acting as a change agent in continued professional development and lifelong learning
Methods of Teaching/Learning
Overall 200 hours:
12 contact hours in classroom
50 hours practice based learning
138 hours self directed learning with learning contract and recognised release time from practice negotiated with manager 

Key theoretical lectures and workshops
Work based learning
Reflection, research analysis and critique
Self directed learning
Visits to specialist clinics
Selected Texts/Journals
Required reading:

Baston H. (2004) Perineal repair The Practising Midwife 7 (9) pp 12-15

Brownlee M. (1994) Synchronised suturing MIDIRS Midwifery Digest 4 (1). March.

Clement S, Reed B. (1999) To stitch or not to stitch? The Practising Midwife 2 (4) pp 20-28

Dolman, M. (1992) Incontinence and childbirth: understanding the link Professional Care of Mother and Child July/August pp 208 210

Draper, J.and Newell, R. (1996) A discussion of some of the literature relating to history, repair and consequences of perineal trauma. Midwifery 12 pp 140 145.

Ethicon (1998) Perinea] Repair Johnson and Johnson Company, Edinburgh, UK

Fitzpatrick M, Cassidy M. (2002) Experience with an obstetric perineal clinic European Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology 100 pp 199-203

Gordon, B and Mackrodt C. (1998) The Ipswich childbirth study:l. A randomised evaluation of two stage postpartum perineal repair leaving the skin unsutured British Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology 105 pp 435 440

Gomme C, Yiannouzis K. (2001) Developing a tool to assess perineal trauma British Journal of Midwifery 9 (9) pp 538 544

Grant, A. Sleep J. & Spencer, D. (1989) Dyspareunia associated with the use of glycerol impregnated catgut to repair perineal trauma. Report of a 3 year follow up study. British journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology 96 pp 741 3

Groom K, Paterson-Brown. (2002) Can we improve on the diagnosis of third degree tears? European Journal of Obstetrics and Gynacology and Reproductive Biology 101 pp19-21

Henderson C, Bick D, (Eds) (2005) Perineal Care: An International Issue Cromwell Press: Trowbridge, Wiltshire. *Highly recommended book to purchase for module ISBN No 1-85642-276-3

Kenyon S, (2004) How can we improve post birth perineal health? MIDIRS Midwifery Digest 14 (1) pp 7-12

Kettle C, Hill, R Jones P. (2002) Continuous versus interrupted perineal repair with standard of rapidly absorbed sutures after spontaneous vaginal birth: a randomised controlled trial The Lancet 359 pp 2217-2223 www.thelancet.com

Harris, M 1992 The impact on research findings in relieving postpartum perineal pain in a large district hospital Midwifery 8: 125 131

Hartley J 1999 Save the perineum The Practising Midwife 2 (l):14 15

Head, M. (1993) Dropping stitches Nursing Times 89 pp 33

Jackson K. (2000) The bottom line: care of the perineum must be improved British Journal of Midwifery 8 (10) pp 609 614

Kettle C, Johnson RB. (2001) Continuous versus interrupted sutures for perineal repair Cohirane Review In The Cochrane Library Issue 1 Oxford: Update Software Accessed 11.4.01

Kettle C, Hill R,Jones P. (2002) Continuous versus interrupted perineal repair with standard or rapidly absorbed sutures after spontaneous vaginal birth: a randomised controlled trial The Lancet 359 pp 2217 2223 www,thelancet, com

Kirkman S. (2000) The midwife and pelvic floor dysfunction The Practising Midwife 3 (8) pp 20 22

Layton S. (2004) The effect of perineal trauma on women's health British Journal of Midwifery 12 (4) pp231-236

Lavin, J. (1996) Pelvic floor damage Modem Midwife May, pp 14 15

Lee B. (2002) Are you sitting comfortably? Issues around perineal repair RCM Midwives Journal 5 (9) pp 298 301

Lewis, L. (1996) Extending the midwives' role in perineal management Nursing Times 92 (1l) pp 39 41

Lundquist M, Olsson A Nissen E. (2000) Is it necessary to suture all lacerations after a vaginal delivery? Birth B27 (2) pp 79-85

Mackrodt, C Gordon, B Fern, E. (1998) The Ipswich Childbirth Study 2. A randomised comparison of polyglactin 910 with chromic catgut for postpartum perineal repair British Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology Vol. 105 pp 441 445

Metcalf A, Tohill S, Williams, A 2002 A pragmatic tool for the measurement of perineal tears British Journal of Midwifery 10 (7):412 417

Metcalf A, (2004) Improving the assessment of perineal tears: the Peri-Rule British Journal of Midwifery 12 (10) pp 618-620

Metcalf A, Bick D, Tohill S, Williams A. (2006) A prospective cohort study of repair and non repair of second-degree perineal trauma: results and issues for future research Evidence Based Midwifery 4 (2) pp 60-4

NHS Executive (2001) Methods and materials used in perineal repair NHS Executive Guidelines http:llwww.rcog.org.uklguidelines/perineal.htmI

Odibo, L 1997 Suturing of perineal trauma: how well are we doing an audit British Journal of Midwifery 5 (11) : 690 692

Olah, K. (1994) Subcuticular perineal repair using a new, continuous technique British Journal of Midwifery February, 2 (2) pp 230-260

Poen, A. (1997) Third degree obstetric perineal tears: risk factors and the preventive role of mediolateral episiotomy British Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology 104 pp 563 566

Premkumar G. (2005) Perineal trauma: reducing associated postnatal maternal morbidity Midwives 8 (1) pp 30-32

Renfrew M, Hannah W, Albers L. (1998) Practices that minimise the trauma of the genital tract in childbirth: A systemaric review of the literature Birth 25 (3) pp 143 160

RCOG (2004) Methods and Materials used in perineal repair Guideline No. 23 www.rcog.org.uk

Salmon D. (2000) A feminist analysis of women's experiences of perineal trauma in the immediate postnatal delivery period MIDIRS Midwifery Digest 10 (2) pp 2119 25

Sampselle CM, Hines S. (1999) Spontaneous pushing during birth Relationship to perineal outcomes Journal of Nurse-Midwifery 44 (1) pp 36-39

Shipman, M Boniface, D. (1997) Antenatal perineal massage and subsequent perineal outcomes: a randomised controlled trial British Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology 104 pp 787 791

Sultan A, Kamm M, Hudson C, (1994) Third degree obstetric anal sphincter tears: risk factors and outcome of primary repair British Medical Journal 308 pp 887-891

Wilson A. (2009) A Quasi-Experimental study to evaluate the effectiveness of an educational programme in perineal repair for midwives and students. PhD Thesis. University of Surrey. Guildford.



• Perineal Repair Handbook provided with additional references.

Access to journals on line with Athens password, logged on with university.

Journals

Birth
British Journal of Midwifery
British Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology
British medical Journal
GUT
International Journal of Gynaecology and Obstetrics
JOGNN
Journal of Wound Care
Journal of Nurse-Midwifery
Journal of Midwifery and Women's Health
MIDIRS Midwifery Digest
Midwifery
The Lancet
The Practising Midwife

Web sites:
www.rcog.og.uk/quidelines
www.emap




Last Updated
3RD AUGUST 2010