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Thirty years ago, the inaugural issue of The Journal of Perinatal & Neonatal Nursing was published and the entire perinatal portion of the journal was devoted to electronic fetal monitoring (EFM). This article provides a historical perspective on EFM in perinatal care since the 1980s by exploring the similarities and differences of the state of the science presented in that first issue. Both EFM and intermittent auscultation are discussed.

The current adversarial tort-based system of adjudicating malpractice claims is flawed. Alternate methods of compensation for birth injuries related to oxygen deprivation or mechanical injury are being utilized in Virginia and Florida. Although utilization of both of these schemes is limited, and they are not without problems in application, both have been successful in reducing the number of malpractice claims in the tort system and in reducing malpractice premiums. While the Florida and Virginia programs are primarily focused on compensation, other models outside the US focus include compensation as well as enhanced dispute resolution and potential for clinical practice change through peer review. Experts in the fields of law and public policy in the United States have evaluated a variety of approaches and have proposed models for administrative health courts that would provide both compensation and dispute resolution for medical and nursing malpractice claims. These alternative models are based on transparency and disclosure, with just compensation for injuries, and opportunities for improvements in patient safety.

Conventional electronic fetal monitoring in the United States has value as a screening tool but is extremely limited as a diagnostic tool. ST analysis was developed as an adjunctive technology, able to measure changes in the ST segment of the fetal electrocardiogram during periods of hypoxia, improving the identification of the fetus at risk for metabolic acidemia at birth. Currently used only in a handful of hospitals in the United States, studies abroad have demonstrated that an integrated approach utilizing electronic fetal monitoring, ST analysis, and standardized guidelines in a selected patient population can improve neonatal outcome, decrease acidemia at birth, and decrease obstetric operative delivery. Research is needed to determine whether similar results are possible in the US population.