In mid-July, NSW Health released the Guidance for Clinical Review of Congenital Syphilis and Inadequately Treated Maternal Syphilis providing a consistent framework for reviewing cases across the state. The guidance supports health services to detect contributing factors and identify ways to strengthen clinical governance aiming to improve outcomes for mothers and their infants.
Importantly, the review process focuses on identifying opportunities for improvement across the health system, rather than attributing blame to individual clinicians or services. By examining factors such as access to care, testing, treatment, communication, referral pathways and follow-up, reviews aim to support shared learning and strengthen systems that help prevent future cases.
This guidance comes at an important time, as congenital syphilis cases have increased nationally and continue to disproportionately affect Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander babies.
ACCHOs may be contacted by their local Public Health Unit to participate in a review following a confirmed case of congenital syphilis, or where a baby is born to a woman with untreated syphilis during pregnancy who has engaged with the service. Participation in these reviews can help identify system improvements and opportunities to strengthen prevention, screening, treatment and continuity of care for mothers and babies.
Read the guidance: Guidance for Clinical Review of Congenital Syphilis and Inadequately Treated Maternal Syphilis
For further information, contact: publichealth@ahmrc.org.au
