Audit reports
An audit of the fetal medicine service at Cork University Maternity Hospital 2025
Dr Barbara Burke, Fidelma Harrington, Clare McDonnell and Professor Keelin O’Donoghue
- Authors
Barbara Burke, Fidelma Harrington, Clare McDonnell, Keelin O’Donoghue
- Year
- 2026
- Category
- Data
Abstract
Background
The Fetal Medicine Service (FMS) at Cork University Maternity Hospital (CUMH) provides subspecialist care for women across south-west Ireland. National clinical practice guidelines recommend that women with suspected or confirmed fetal anomalies are seen by a fetal medicine consultant within 3-5 working days.
Aims/Objectives
To evaluate the timeliness, indications and characteristics of care delivered by the CUMH FMS in 2025, assess compliance with national guideline access timeframes, and ensure parity of access between internal and external referrals.
Methods
A retrospective clinical audit was conducted for all women attending the service between January and December 2025. Cases were identified from the FMS register, and verified via the electronic health record (MN-CMS) chart review. Data were collected using a standardised instrument and analysed using SPSS. Approval for this project was granted by the CUMH RAAC Committee (Ref: 202613).
Results
Overall, 387 women attended across 389 pregnancies (369 singleton, 20 multiple). Most referrals were internal to CUMH (n=329), followed by University Hospital Kerry (n=31), and Tipperary University Hospital (n=29). For singleton pregnancies, primary referral indications included increased nuchal translucency or cystic hygroma (40.1%), soft markers (11.7%), fetal growth concerns (7.6%) and known genetic risk (7.6%). The most common diagnoses were increased nuchal translucency/cystic hygroma (14.8%), CNS abnormalities (10.7%), and abnormal fetal growth (9.6%). For those with abnormal ultrasound findings, the median interval from referral to first review was 5 days (IQR 5; range 0-46 days). There was no difference in time to review > 5 days between internal and external referrals (χ2=1.50, p=0.47). Invasive testing was performed in 18.9% of cases (68 amniocentesis, 2 CVS).
Discussion
Care provided by the CUMH FMS aligns with national guidance, with equitable, timely access to specialist care across regional referral units. Re-audit is planned for 2026 to monitor sustained provision of timely care.