BackgroundThe present study examines the introduction of an innovation in intrapartum foetal monitoring practice in Australia. ST-Analysis (STan) is a technology that adds information to conventional fetal monitoring (cardiotocography) during labour, with the aim of reducing unnecessary obstetric intervention. Adoption of this technology has been controversial amongst obstetricians and midwives, particularly as its use necessitates a more invasive means of monitoring (a scalp clip), compared to external monitoring from cardiotocography alone. If adoption of this technology is going to be successful, then understanding staff opinions about the implementation of STan in an Australian setting is an important issue for maternity care providers and policy makers.MethodsUsing a maximum variation purposive sampling method, 18 interviews were conducted with 10 midwives and 8 doctors from the Women’s and Children’s Hospital, South Australia to explore views about the introduction of the new technology. The data were analysed using Framework Analysis.ResultsMidwives and doctors indicated four important areas of consideration when introducing STan: 1) philosophy of care; 2) the implementation process including training and education; 3) the existence of research evidence; and 4) attitudes towards the new technology. Views were expressed about the management of change process, the fit of the new technology within the current models of care, the need for ongoing training and the importance of having local evidence.ConclusionsThese findings, coupled with the general literature about introducing innovation and change, can be used by other centres looking to introduce STan technology.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (10.1186/s12913-018-2920-5) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

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As the incidence of diabetes increases in the UK, community nurses will have increasingly larger caseloads of elderly patients with diabetes. It is important that nurses assess the patient's understanding of the disease and its treatment. The aim of good diabetic control is to reduce morbidity from the complications of the disease. Factors that affect the patients' quality of life; the patients' ability to manage their condition; and the importance of providing education and support for both the patients and their carers are discussed. The importance of diet, blood glucose monitoring and taking diabetic medication appropriately are explained.