Implementation of the WHO Safe Childbirth Checklist: a scoping review protocol.

INTRODUCTION: The WHO Safe Childbirth Checklist (WHO SCC) was developed to accelerate adoption of essential practices that prevent maternal and neonatal morbidity and mortality during childbirth. This study aims to summarise the current landscape of organisations and facilities that have implemented the WHO SCC and compare the published strategies used to implement the WHO SCC implementation in both successful and unsuccessful efforts. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: This scoping review protocol follows the guidelines of the Joanna Briggs Institute. Data will be collected and reported according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews report. The search strategy will include publications from the databases Scopus, PubMed, Embase, CINAHL and Web of Science, in addition to a search in grey literature in The National Library of Australia's Trobe, DART-Europe E-Theses Portal, Electronic Theses Online Service, Theses Canada, Google Scholar and Theses and dissertations from Latin America. Data extraction will include data on general information, study characteristics, organisations involved, sociodemographic context, implementation strategies, indicators of implementation process, frameworks used to design or evaluate the strategy, implementation outcomes and final considerations. Critical analysis of implementation strategies and outcomes will be performed with researchers with experience implementing the WHO SCC. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: The study does not require an ethical review due to its design as a scoping review of the literature. The results will be submitted for publication to a scientific journal and all relevant data from this study will be made available in Dataverse. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: https://doi.org/10.17605/OSF.IO/RWY27.

Disrespect and Abuse in Obstetric Care in Mexico: An Observational Study of Deliveries in Four Hospitals.

INTRODUCTION: To identify and describe the frequency and characteristics of disrespect and abuse practices towards women during facility-based delivery in four hospitals in two Mexican states in 2017, using a mixed method of direct observation and women's reports of health care experiences. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was performed to describe disrespect and abuse practices in obstetric care (interactions or conditions that are experienced as or intended to be humiliating or undignified) committed by healthcare providers. We included all pregnant women admitted for childbirth (vaginal and cesarean). Semi-structured interviews were also conducted with women, prior to discharge, regarding their experience at delivery. RESULTS: 867 deliveries were observed. 18.8% of women (n = 163) experienced at least one disrespect and abuse event, especially at secondary care facilities. There were a total of 493 disrespect and abuse events, which, on average, represents three events per woman (39.4% were verbal abuse, 32% were physical abuse, and 28.6% were discrimination). In the majority of cases (> 50%), women did not give consent to not recommended invasive procedures and were not provided with adequate information to those procedures. CONCLUSIONS FOR PRACTICE: Direct observation and interviews was a useful tool to identify disrespectful and abusive practices during delivery care. Our findings provide new evidence of the frequency and characteristics of disrespect and abuse during delivery care in Mexico, which can be used to inform maternal health programs. Additionally, these results encourage the creation of surveillance policies and committees in order to guarantee violence-free and dignified treatment of women during delivery care.

Indicators for monitoring maternal and neonatal quality care: a systematic review.

BACKGROUND: Research and different organizations have proposed indicators to monitor the quality of maternal and child healthcare, such indicators are used for different purposes. OBJECTIVE: To perform a systematic review of indicators for the central phases of the maternal and child healthcare continuum of care (pregnancy, childbirth, newborn care and postpartum). METHOD: A search conducted using international repositories, national and international indicator sets, scientific articles published between 2012 and 2016, and grey literature. The eligibility criteria was documents in Spanish or English with indicators to monitor aspects of the continuum of care phases of interest. The identified indicators were characterized as follows: formula, justification, evidence level, pilot study, indicator type, phase of the continuum, intended organizational level of application, level of care, and income level of the countries. Selection was based on the characteristics associated with scientific soundness (formula, evidence level, and reliability). RESULTS: We identified 1791 indicators. Three hundred forty-six were duplicated, which resulted in 1445 indicators for analysis. Only 6.7% indicators exhibited all requirements for scientific soundness. The distribution by the classifying variables is clearly uneven, with a predominance of indicators for childbirth, hospital care and facility level. CONCLUSIONS: There is a broad choice of indicators for maternal and child healthcare. However, most indicators lack demonstrated scientific soundness and refer to particular continuum phases and levels within the healthcare system. Additional efforts are needed to identify good indicators for a comprehensive maternal and child healthcare monitoring system.

Multicentre cross-sectional study on adverse events and good practices in maternity wards in Brazil and Mexico: same problems, different magnitude.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the quality of delivery care in maternity wards in Brazil and Mexico based on good practices (GP) and adverse events (AE), in order to identify priorities for improvement. DESIGN: A multicentre cross-sectional study with data collection from medical records between 2015 and 2016 to compare indicators of maternal and neonatal GP and EA based on the Safe Childbirth Checklist and standardised obstetric quality indicators. Two Brazilian and five Mexican maternity wards participated in the study. Descriptive statistics and χ2 tests were performed to assess performance and significant differences between the hospitals investigated. SAMPLING: We analysed 720 births in Brazil and 2707 in Mexico, which were selected using a systematic random sampling of 30 medical records every fortnight for 12 2-week periods in Brazil and 18 2-week periods in Mexico. We included women and their newborns, excluding those with congenital malformations. RESULTS: The Mexican hospitals showed greater adherence to GP (58.2%) and a lower incidence of AE (12.9%) than the participating institutions in Brazil (26.8% compliance with GP and 16.0% AE). In spite of these differences, the relative importance of particular quality problems and type of AE are similar in both countries. Tertiary hospitals, caring for women at higher risk, have significantly (p<0.001) higher rates of AE (27.2% in Brazil and 29.6% in Mexico) than institutions attending women at lower risk, where the frequency of AE ranges from 4.7% to 11.2%. Differences were significant (p<0.001) for most indicators of GP and AE. CONCLUSION: Data from outcome and process measures revealed similar types of failures in the quality of childbirth care in both countries and indicate the need of rationalising the use of antibiotics for the mother and episiotomy, encouraging greater adherence to partograph and to the use of magnesium sulfate for the treatment of severe preeclampsia/eclampsia.

Construction and pilot test of a set of indicators to assess the implementation and effectiveness of the who safe childbirth checklist.

BACKGROUND: The World Health Organization (WHO) launched the "Safe Childbirth Checklist (SCC) Collaboration" in 2012. The SCC is designed to contribute to quality care by providing reminders of evidence-based practices for the prevention and management of the leading causes of maternal and neonatal morbidity and mortality. However, indicators to monitor the implementation and effectiveness of the SCC have not been defined. This study aimed to produce and pilot test a set of valid, reliable and feasible indicators to assess the implementation and effectiveness of the SCC, with an emphasis on best practices. METHODS: As part of the WHO Collaboration, the SCC was adapted to the Mexican context, and a set of indicators was developed to assess the SCC use and adherence to SCC-related best practices. The indicators were pilot tested in three hospitals for feasibility and reliability using the prevalence- and bias-adjusted kappa index (PABAK) for multiple independent evaluators (initial sample, n = 47; second sample, n = 30 to re-test reliability). The data sources were clinical records and cognitive tests drawn from questionnaires to mothers and health professionals. RESULTS: We generated 53 indicators, and 38 of the indicators (those related to best practices and outcomes) were pilot tested. Of these, 26 relate to care for the mother (20 were measured based on clinical records and 6 via questionnaire), and 12 relate to newborn care (9 were medical record-based and 3 were from questionnaires). Feasible indicators were generally also reliable (PABAK≥0.6). Routine feasibility is affected by the frequency of assessed events. CONCLUSIONS: The generated indicators allow an assessment of the implementation and effectiveness of the SCC and the monitoring of quality of care during childbirth and the immediate postpartum period.

[Quality and compliance with Clinical Practice Guidelines of Chronic Noncommunicable Diseases in primary care]. / Calidad y cumplimiento de guías de práctica clínica de enfermedades crónicas no transmisibles en el primer nivel.

OBJECTIVE:: To assess the quality and compliance of clinical practice guidelines (CPG) applicable to chronic non-communicable diseases (CNCD) in primary healthcare (CS), and views of staff on the barriers, facilitators and their use. MATERIALS AND METHODS:: 18 valued CPG with AGREEII, 3 are selected to develop indicators and assess compliance using lot quality acceptance sample (LQAS, standard 75 / 95% threshold 40 / 75% respectively, α:0. 05, ß:0. 10) on 5 CS. 70 professionals surveyed about knowledge and use of CPG. RESULTS:: Average quality of the CPG was 57.2%; low rating in domains: "Applicability" (<25%), "Stakeholder involvement" (43.5%) and "Rigour of development" (55.0%). Compliance in CS ranges from 39 to 53.4%. Professionals show uneven knowledge of CPG; 44 to 45% (according to CPG), they declare that they are not used, they identify as main barriers the lack of training, and their difficult accessibility and management. CONCLUSIONS:: The quality and implementation of evaluated CPG is deficient constituting an opportunity of improvement in health services.

Calidad y cumplimiento de guías de práctica clínica de enfermedades crónicas no transmisibles en el primer nivel / Quality and compliance with Clinical Practice Guidelines of Chronic Noncommunicable Diseases in primary care

Resumen: Objetivo: Evaluar la calidad y cumplimiento de guías de práctica clínica (GPC) aplicables a las enfermedades crónicas no transmisibles (ECNT) en Centros de Salud (CS), y opinión del personal sobre las barreras, facilitadores y su utilización. Material y métodos: De 18 GPC valoradas con Appraisal of Guidelines Research and Evaluation II (AGREEII), se seleccionan tres para elaborar indicadores y evaluar cumplimiento usando Lot Quality Assurance Sampling (LQAS) (estándar 75/95%, umbral 40/75%, respectivamente, α:0.05, β:0.10) en cinco CS. 70 profesionales fueron encuestados sobre conocimiento y utilización de GPC. Resultados: La calidad formal promedio de las GPC fue 57.2%; baja calificación en dominios: “Aplicabilidad” (<25%), “Participación de los implicados” (43.5%) y “Rigor en la elaboración” (55.0%). Su cumplimiento en CS oscila entre 39 y 53.4%. Los profesionales muestran conocimiento desigual de GPC; de 44 a 45% (según GPC) declaran que no se utilizan e identifican como principales barreras la ausencia de capacitación y su difícil accesibilidad y manejo. Conclusiones: La calidad e implantación de GPC evaluadas es deficiente, lo que constituye una oportunidad de mejora en los servicios de salud.

Abstract: Objective: To assess the quality and compliance of clinical practice guidelines (CPG) applicable to chronic non-communicable diseases (CNCD) in primary healthcare (CS), and views of staff on the barriers, facilitators and their use. Materials and methods: 18 valued CPG with AGREEII, 3 are selected to develop indicators and assess compliance using lot quality acceptance sample (LQAS, standard 75 / 95% threshold 40 / 75% respectively, α:0. 05, β:0. 10) on 5 CS. 70 professionals surveyed about knowledge and use of CPG. Results: Average quality of the CPG was 57.2%; low rating in domains: “Applicability” (<25%), “Stakeholder involvement” (43.5%) and “Rigour of development” (55.0%). Compliance in CS ranges from 39 to 53.4%. Professionals show uneven knowledge of CPG; 44 to 45% (according to CPG), they declare that they are not used, they identify as main barriers the lack of training, and their difficult accessibility and management. Conclusions: The quality and implementation of evaluated CPG is deficient constituting an opportunity of improvement in health services.

Quality agencies at the global level: characteristics and functions-a narrative review.

PURPOSE: To provide a comparative description of the structure, function and activities of quality agencies around the world and describe the published evidence of their impact on the health system. DATA SOURCES: A narrative review was conducted using the information found on websites, articles, books and gray literature in English and Spanish. STUDY SELECTION: The search process included three complementary approaches: (i) websites of agencies, ministries of health and quality-related official institutions; (ii) evaluations, reports, audits or documents regarding quality agencies; and (iii) scientific articles and gray literature found (key word: quality agency) using Ebsco databases. Information was completed using the 'snowball' technique, tracking internet materials and citing literature of reviewed documents. DATA EXTRACTION: The analytical framework to summarize the information included the agencies' mission, structures, target institutions, activities (following a six-domain model), funding, information management and impact evaluations. RESULTS OF DATA SYNTHESIS: Information was found regarding quality agencies in 62 countries. Those focusing mainly on accreditation were discarded for further analysis. Agencies with a broader focus, according to the six-domain model for quality improvement (QI) strategies, were found in nine countries. Information resulted very heterogeneous in form and substance. However, they share the function of strengthening and advising on 'public goods', through information, knowledge management and development of standards. No impact evaluations of any type were found. CONCLUSION: The characteristics of existing quality agencies are very heterogeneous, being accreditation the main common focus. There is a lack of both a comprehensive approach to QI strategies and a formal assessment of their impact or contribution for improving quality.