Background: Gestational Diabetes Mellitus (GDM) is linked with poor outcomes during pregnancy for the woman and her baby and is implicated in the mother’s development of type 2 diabetes. The Australasian Diabetes in Pregnancy Society (ADIPS) guidelines for GDM is regarded as the gold standard for management. At St John of God Subiaco Hospital the diabetes educator is not based in the maternity department therefore the information and care being provided to women with gestational diabetes and their babies is the task of the midwives and nurses. The level of staff knowledge on GDM that ultimately influenced practice was not known.
Aim: To assess the midwives and nurses knowledge and practice in line the ADIPS guidelines to improve care and management.
Method: Maternity staff were invited to complete a purpose designed audit survey that was based on sections of the ADIPS guidelines prior to attending an education session on GDM. Specific questions deemed as essential knowledge for safe practice in the acute setting were included in the survey.
Results: Of the 45 participants, 64% indicated not attending training on diabetes in pregnancy at a post graduate level and 0% answered all 6 essential knowledge questions correctly as displayed in the table.

Conclusion: The study findings indicate the need for further education, clear guidelines for clinical practice and relevant policy to ensure that all maternity staff meets the requirements for informed practice in this area, therefore improving the care of mothers with GDM and their babies.