The partograph as a safety instrument in obstetric care

The objective of the study is to analyze partograph’s fulfillment as a safety instrument in obstetric care accomplished by healthcare professionals. Transversal, retrospective and documental study in a maternity school of Brazil. The sample was made of 263 partographs. The records were analyzed as complete, partial or with no record. The average age group was of 24.86 years old. At the identification, only the name was filled on all partographs. Only 25.9% had serology for HIV and syphilis noted. The variety of position was not registered on most of them. Only 2.7% had the vital signs and 4.6% recorded that they were under the use of medication. The APGAR, weight and height of the newborn was not filled on most of them. The average cervical expansion of the partograph’s opening was of 6.32 cm. There was a statistically significant association between the partograph’s early opening with a higher number of vaginal touches. The chance of episiotomy and severe laceration were four times higher on women that used endovenous oxytocin. It was verified that the majority of the partograph’s item were registered. However, only the names were fulfilled on all instruments. Flaws were also identified in regard of their standardization.