Francesco Enrico Ventura
May 14th - November 29th
When my Mummy and Daddy were at their 23 week scan with me, which was a repeat scan that occured at week 20, and was necessary because my hands were covering my face and arm covering my chest.
This meant that a number of the scans that needed doing were not possible.
They returned on week 23 for the scan, to be told by the Sonographer that he had found an abnormality.
He identified it as a "Cleft Lip" and asked Mummy and Daddy if they knew what that was. Mummy and Daddy were in too much shock to reply, so the sonographer refered us to images that we have all seen on the TV of the third world countries where childrens mouths had big holes in the area of the top lips and their teeth were all mixed up.
This made Mummy burst into tears, as her world had just been torn apart. When Mummy and Daddy had a little time to think about it, and come to terms with the diagnosis, they made a complaint to the Hospital.
The intention was to "help" the sonographer and team to find a better way of deliverying this devastating information is a manner easier for any parents in the future. A little later, Lisa recieved the letter below:
Sonographer Training
Sonographers are diagnostic medical professionals who operate ultrasonic imaging devices to produce diagnostic images, scans, videos, or 3D volumes of anatomy and diagnostic data.
Sonography requires
specialized education and skills to view, analyze and modify the scan to optimize the information in the image. Because of the high levels of decisional latitude and diagnostic input,
sonographers have a high degree of responsibility in the diagnostic process.
Many countries require that medical sonographers have professional certification.
Sonographers must
understand ultrasound
physics, cross sectional
anatomy, physiology,
pathology and
communication skills.
4th November 2013
Dear Lisa,
I was pleased to meet you on Tuesday evening however sorry that the reason for you visit was anxiety about your unborn baby's movements.
I am followign up on your previous conversation where you shared the concerns that you had regarding the way that the sonographer informed you about your baby's cleft lip.
I was very sorry to hear of the impact the way this information was given had on you and have investigated this with the assistance of the manager of the scan department. I would however like to thank you for sharing this with me. This has prompted an investigation into a situation that otherwise we would not have been aware of an undoubtedly improve future practice and training.
The radiographer involved has been made aware of the issue you raised and is sorry that he caused so much distress to you. He has discussed with his manager how he finds it difficult to explain some of the abnormal findings that he encounters when scanning but has never before received a complaint.
It has however become apparent through this investigation that all of the sonographers would benefit from refresher training to assist them to explain what they see when scanning, particularly when this information may be difficult and distressing to the parents.
The scan department manager is therefore arranging for her team to attend Antenatal Results and Choices training which includes coaching for the sonographers to share difficult information with parents.
In addition, I have discussed your experience with the Lead Consultant Obstetrician for fetal medicine, and he is planning to offer some practical advice for the sonographers when he meets with them at a multi-disciplinary meeting.
Thank you once again for sharing your experience with me. If you would like to discuss this, or any other element of your care further, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Yours Sincerely
Rachel Carter
Matron for Maternity Impatients
Worcestershire Royal Hospital
This was exactly the response Mummy and Daddy wanted. They did not want anyone punished, they just wanted to help, and if possible, avoid anyone else having to hear this news the same way they did.
This also led to becoming good friends with Rachel Carter at the Worcestershire Royal Hospital, who visited Mummy and Daddy during the labour, and once again offered help and support. This came in the form of breathing instructions.
Immediatly after Rachel helping us with the breathing, Mummy was in a lot less pain, and the duration of the contractions she was having almost halved. Magic.
Rachels advice was to breath heavily, taking big breaths through the nose, and exhaling through the mouth, over and over until the contraction finished. This saved Mummy as she was in a lot of pain, and this advice helped her enourmously over the next several hours.
