A Study Of Factors Influencing Fetal Monitor Failure

In Mongolia, an average of 65,000 women become pregnant each year, and about 59,500 babies are born. Although the number of pregnancies is decreasing by 8-12 percent each year, the level of fetal monitor usage remains high. The capital's maternity hospital currently has 27 fetal monitors in use, and an average of 30-35 calls are recorded per month. However, there is a lack of research on the use of fetal monitors, the causes and influencing factors of damage, and the organization of technical services. Therefore, this topic was chosen to determine the usage status of fetal monitors, the causes of malfunctions, and ways to improve them. Purpose To study the causes and factors affecting possible damage and injury during the use of fetal monitors, and to identify ways to reduce them. Materials and methods A one-time study was conducted on 10 MT-610 fetal monitors that were put into operation in 2019 at the Urgo Maternity Hospital in the capital. Data were collected and processed using document analysis methods from the technical passports and call logs of these devices. The factors contributing to common failures were identified using focus group interviews with the engineers and technicians responsible for the equipment. Results This study found that fetal monitor failures are caused by improper use, lack of regular calibration, electrical fluctuations, ambient temperature and humidity, and insufficient medical staff skills, training, and knowledge of how to use the device, all of which contribute to failures and measurement errors. It is also observed that when a replacement part is needed for a monitor that frequently breaks, the monitor is more likely to break again if it is used as a replacement from a previously broken monitor. Therefore, training doctors and nurses who replace spare parts on their use has been observed to significantly reduce future breakdowns. Conclusion According to the study results, the breakdowns and failures of fetal monitoring devices are mainly related to internal system failures, unstable power supply, and wear and tear of accessories and mechanical parts. The highest percentage of device failures indicates the need for special attention to the reliability of the device's basic functions. Additionally, the high percentage of accessory and printer failures indicates the need for proper use and monitoring of the entire device. In addition to technical factors, human misuse, lack of maintenance, and environmental influences also play a significant role in damage. Therefore, it is concluded that to ensure the reliable operation of fetal monitors, it is necessary to perform regular maintenance, stabilize the power supply, improve the quality of accessories, and increase the knowledge and skills of medical staff. Keywords: Fetal Monitoring, Equipment Failure, Risk Factors