Emergency Obstretic Care (EOC) – This course is designed to understand the care of pregnant women and newborn: antenatal, intra-natal and postnatal; breast feeding, family planning, newborn care and ethical issues, The aim of the course is to acquire knowledge and develop competencies regarding midwifery, complicated labour and newborn care including family planning.
Emergency Obstretic Care (EOC)
Definition of EOC (Emergency obstetric care):
Emergency obstetric care (EOC) is a care given to a pregnant mother and to her baby during pregnancy, labour and postnatal period in any health institution.
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EOC means care of a woman during her emergency need most related to pregnancy and its outcome, It is a life-saving management. The objective of EOC is to serve the services to the pregnant women at the time of her emergency need.
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EOC is the life-saving obstetric service to the pregnant woman which can be given any part of health system or health infrastructure.
Role of EOC in Reducing Maternal Mortality in Our Country:
1. Early assessment of complications.
2. Proper diagnosis of labour and early intervention.
3. Delivery by skilled persons.
4. Quick referral system.
5. Administration of obstetric first aids.
6. Essential minor operative procedure is done.
7. Continuous monitoring of the maternal condition.
Components of Emergency Obstetric Care (EOC):
A. Obstetric first aid: | In community level
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| B. Basic EOC: | In Upazilla health complex
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C. Comprehensive EOC |
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Roles and Responsibilities of a Nurse in EOC:
The Nurse/ Nurse Midwife is one of the key member of the EOC team. At the District hospital this team comprises Consultant (Obs& Gynae), RMO, MO, Anesthetist, Blood Transfusion Officer, and Nurses & BT Technician. The THC EOC team comprises THFPO, MO, MOMCH, Nurses, FWV& Lab Technician.
Through a concerted effort of all members the team will strive to attain and maintain the prescribed functions of the facility-Comprehensive EOC at the District hospital level and Basic EOC at the THC and district level MCWC.
As a member of the EOC team the Nurse /Nurse midwives working in district hospital, THC or MCWC will perform following technical and managerial functions:
Technical Functions of Nurse/Nurse Midwife:
1. Monitor progress of labour and conduct normal delivery.
2. Assist doctor in conducting assisted vaginal delivery.
3. Provide nursing care to the mother and newborn of normal delivery cases.
4. Monitor status of obstetric and neonatal complications cases.
5. Conduct and or assist doctor in conducting neonatal resuscitation.
6. Provide nursing care to common obstetric and neonatal complications.
7. Carry out pre and post-operative management of obstetric emergency cases. Prepare trolley for surgery related to EOC.
8. Assist surgeons during operation.
9. Administer parenteral drugs & fluids as per doctor’s order.
10. Perform aseptic dressing.
11. Operate Oxygen cylinder.
12. Operate sucker machine (electrical/manual).
13. Sterilize equipment & linen as per standard procedure.
14. Create community awareness through counselling of patients and relatives.
Managerial Functions of Nurse /Nurse Midwife:
1. Organize and manage Labour Room, Eclampsia Room and Operation Theater with necessary equipment’s-and materials.
2. Indent for supplies and maintain records.
3. Management of drugs & equipment.
4. Record keeping and reporting.
5. Guiding and supporting ancillary staffs (Aye, Ward boy, Sweeper and attendants of the patients.
Birth planning:
➤ Place of delivery: Whether it will be conducted in the hospital or in home
➤ Satisfactory arrangement for proper transportation of the patient
➤ Assessment of the complications
➤ Economic condition of the patient
➤ Suggested place of birth
➤ Highly trained or skilled attendant.
Potential benefits of a home delivery:
1. Delivery in the familiar surroundings of her home and it removes the fear associated with delivery in a hospital.
2. Less chances for cross infection at home than in the nursery/hospital.
3. The mother is able to keep an eye upon her children and domestic affairs.
4. This may lead to decrease her tension.
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