Carola J M Groenen1, Noortje T L van Duijnhoven2, Jan A M Kremer3, Marisja Scheerhagen4, Frank P H A Vandenbussche5, Marjan J Faber6. 1. Radboud University Medical Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, P.O. Box 9101, 6500 HB, Nijmegen, The Netherlands. Electronic address: carolagroenen@gmail.com. 2. Radboud University Medical Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, P.O. Box 9101, 6500 HB, Nijmegen, The Netherlands. Electronic address: noortje.vanduijnhoven@radboudumc.nl. 3. Radboud University Medical Center, Scientific Institute for Quality of Healthcare (IQ Healthcare), P.O. Box 9101, 6500 HB, Nijmegen, The Netherlands. Electronic address: jan.kremer@radboudumc.nl. 4. University Medical Center Utrecht, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, P.O. Box 85090, 3508 AB, Utrecht, The Netherlands. Electronic address: m.scheerhagen@umcutrecht.nl. 5. Radboud University Medical Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, P.O. Box 9101, 6500 HB, Nijmegen, The Netherlands. Electronic address: frank.vandenbussche@radboudumc.nl. 6. Radboud University Medical Center, Scientific Institute for Quality of Healthcare (IQ Healthcare), P.O. Box 9101, 6500 HB, Nijmegen, The Netherlands. Electronic address: marjan.faber@radboudumc.nl.
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: Professionals in maternity care have started working in a network approach. To further enhance the efficacy of this multidisciplinary maternity network, the identification of priorities for improvement is warranted. The aim of this study was to create key recommendations for the improvement agenda, in co-production with patients and professionals. STUDY DESIGN: We conducted a Delphi study to inventory (round 1), prioritize (round 2) and eventually approve (round 3) the improvement agenda for the maternity network. Both patients and professionals joined this study. Initial input for the study consisted of experiences from 397 patients, collected using the ReproQ questionnaire. In round 1, the expert panel, gave improvement recommendations, based on the ReproQ results. This resulted in 11 recommendations. In the second round, the expert panel prioritised these recommendations. In the consensus meeting then finally the concrete improvement agenda was composed. RESULTS: Priority scores differed considerably between patients and professionals in seven items, while four items received similar priority scores from both groups. The four most important improvement activities were: Realise more single bedrooms in hospitals; Create more opportunities for the continued presence of the community midwife during labour; Initiate a digital patient record view system for the network with a view function for patients; and Introduce a case manager for pregnant woman. CONCLUSION: Based on patient experience and the active involvement of patients and professionals, we were able to compose the shared agenda for quality improvement in maternity care.
OBJECTIVES: Professionals in maternity care have started working in a network approach. To further enhance the efficacy of this multidisciplinary maternity network, the identification of priorities for improvement is warranted. The aim of this study was to create key recommendations for the improvement agenda, in co-production with patients and professionals. STUDY DESIGN: We conducted a Delphi study to inventory (round 1), prioritize (round 2) and eventually approve (round 3) the improvement agenda for the maternity network. Both patients and professionals joined this study. Initial input for the study consisted of experiences from 397 patients, collected using the ReproQ questionnaire. In round 1, the expert panel, gave improvement recommendations, based on the ReproQ results. This resulted in 11 recommendations. In the second round, the expert panel prioritised these recommendations. In the consensus meeting then finally the concrete improvement agenda was composed. RESULTS: Priority scores differed considerably between patients and professionals in seven items, while four items received similar priority scores from both groups. The four most important improvement activities were: Realise more single bedrooms in hospitals; Create more opportunities for the continued presence of the community midwife during labour; Initiate a digital patient record view system for the network with a view function for patients; and Introduce a case manager for pregnant woman. CONCLUSION: Based on patient experience and the active involvement of patients and professionals, we were able to compose the shared agenda for quality improvement in maternity care.