OBJECTIVE: To reduce maternal and neonatal death at a large regional hospital through the use of quality improvement methodologies. METHODS: In 2007, Kybele and the Ghana Health Service formed a partnership to analyze systems and patient care processes at a regional hospital in Accra, Ghana. A model encompassing continuous assessment, implementation, advocacy, outputs, and outcomes was designed. Key areas for improvement were grouped into "bundles" based on personnel, systems management, and service quality. Primary outcomes included maternal and perinatal mortality, and case fatality rates for hemorrhage and hypertensive disorders. Implementation and outcomes were evaluated tri-annually between 2007 and 2009. RESULTS: During the study period, there was a 34% decrease in maternal mortality despite a 36% increase in patient admission. Case fatality rates for pre-eclampsia and hemorrhage decreased from 3.1% to 1.1% (P<0.05) and from 14.8% to 1.9% (P<0.001), respectively. Stillbirths were reduced by 36% (P<0.05). Overall, the maternal mortality ratio decreased from 496 per 100000 live births in 2007 to 328 per 100,000 in 2009. CONCLUSION: Maternal and newborn mortality were reduced in a low-resource setting when appropriate models for continuous quality improvement were developed and employed.
OBJECTIVE: To reduce maternal and neonatal death at a large regional hospital through the use of quality improvement methodologies. METHODS: In 2007, Kybele and the Ghana Health Service formed a partnership to analyze systems and patient care processes at a regional hospital in Accra, Ghana. A model encompassing continuous assessment, implementation, advocacy, outputs, and outcomes was designed. Key areas for improvement were grouped into "bundles" based on personnel, systems management, and service quality. Primary outcomes included maternal and perinatal mortality, and case fatality rates for hemorrhage and hypertensive disorders. Implementation and outcomes were evaluated tri-annually between 2007 and 2009. RESULTS: During the study period, there was a 34% decrease in maternal mortality despite a 36% increase in patient admission. Case fatality rates for pre-eclampsia and hemorrhage decreased from 3.1% to 1.1% (P<0.05) and from 14.8% to 1.9% (P<0.001), respectively. Stillbirths were reduced by 36% (P<0.05). Overall, the maternal mortality ratio decreased from 496 per 100000 live births in 2007 to 328 per 100,000 in 2009. CONCLUSION: Maternal and newborn mortality were reduced in a low-resource setting when appropriate models for continuous quality improvement were developed and employed.
Authors: Beena D Kamath-Rayne; Sara K Berkelhamer; Ashish Kc; Hege L Ersdal; Susan Niermeyer Journal: Pediatr Res Date: 2017-05-24 Impact factor: 3.756
Authors: Bellington Vwalika; Marie C D Stoner; Mulindi Mwanahamuntu; K Cherry Liu; Eugene Kaunda; Getrude G Tshuma; Somwe W Somwe; Yusuf Ahmed; Elizabeth M Stringer; Jeffrey S A Stringer; Benjamin H Chi Journal: Int J Gynaecol Obstet Date: 2016-11-24 Impact factor: 3.561
Authors: Joyce L Browne; Sabine W van Nievelt; Emmanuel K Srofenyoh; Diederick E Grobbee; Kerstin Klipstein-Grobusch Journal: PLoS One Date: 2015-04-29 Impact factor: 3.240