Preventing postpartum hemorrhage in low-resource settings.

OBJECTIVES: To review the literature to determine the most effective methods for preventing postpartum hemorrhage (PPH), the single most important cause of maternal death worldwide. METHODS: Systematic review of published randomized controlled trials and relevant reviews. RESULTS: Review of the literature confirms that active management of the third stage of labor, especially the administration of uterotonic drugs, reduces the risk of PPH due to uterine atony without increasing the incidence of retained placenta or other serious complications. Oxytocin is the preferred uterotonic drug compared with syntometrine, but misoprostol also can be used to prevent hemorrhage in situations where parenteral medications are not available (e.g. at home births in developing countries). CONCLUSIONS: The use of active management of the third stage of labor to prevent PPH due to uterine atony should be expanded, especially in developing country settings.

On-the-job training through follow-up visits to improve the quality of family planning services.

As part of a broader set of activities to strengthen family planning training and improve the quality of family planning services in Turkey, follow-up visits were performed at different family planning sites across the country in order to conduct on-the-job training. The objective of on-the-job training was to refresh and improve family planning counselling skills for all methods as well as to refresh and improve intrauterine device insertion/removal skills and also some determinants of quality care. It was also aimed at transferring up-to-date information to family planning practitioners, identifying frequently encountered problems and helping with solution approaches for problems both at the individual and programmatic levels. The results of the follow-up visits reflect issues about both the staff and the clinical facility itself in terms of conforming with the standards of the 'National Family Planning Guidelines' set forth by the Ministry of Health. The follow-up team consisted of nine members who were specially trained. They represented different sectors such as a non-governmental organization, a medical school and the Ministry of Health. The follow-up team performed 90 visits to 16 clinics in 11 provinces between 1995 and 1998. Methods used were structured observations via standard checklists, meetings with the clinic staff, self-assessment, role plays, demonstration, coaching and the provision of feedback. During this period, a total of 130 health professionals working in 16 clinics were trained on-the-job. A significant improvement was observed in the performance of the family planning practitioners and the quality of care provided in clinics. While none of the service providers were found to have a standard skill level in general counselling during the first visit, at the end of the fifth visit all were capable of providing counselling services according to the national standards. Intrauterine device insertion skills were high at the beginning of the visits, and 16 of the 17 observed service providers (94%) were assessed as conforming to the standards. At the fifth visit, all of the 42 service providers (100%) were found to be adequate. At the facility level, all 16 clinics established separate counselling rooms in the follow-up period. Additionally, the number of clinics conforming to infection prevention standards increased from two clinics in 15 at the first visit to all 16 clinics at the fifth visit. This study showed that the ultimate success of family planning programs depend on structured and well-supervised on-the-job training through follow-up visits to the sites.

Management of the syndrome of inappropriate secretion of antidiuretic hormone.

The etiology, pathophysiology, clinical features, diagnosis, and medical treatment of the syndrome of inappropriate secretion of antidiuretic hormone (SIADH) are reviewed. SIADH is a common cause of hyponatremia in hospitalized patients. Increased concentrations of antidiuretic hormone (ADH) result in retention of free water, increased excretion of sodium, and hyponatremia. Symptoms generally occur only when hyponatremia is severe (less than or equal to 125 meq/L) and may include anorexia, vomiting, and confusion, followed by seizures, coma, and death. SIADH may result from a variety of diseases, as well as from the use of drugs such as chlorpropamide, carbamazepine, diuretics, and some antineoplastic agents. Diagnosis of SIADH is confirmed by demonstration of a high urine osmolality with a low plasma osmolality, in the absence of diuretic use. Immediate treatment of the symptomatic patient with SIADH includes intravenous furosemide and 3% sodium chloride injection to produce a negative free-water balance. If the underlying cause of SIADH cannot be corrected, the treatment of choice for chronic SIADH is fluid restriction. If this is not tolerated by the patient, demeclocycline can be used to induce a negative free-water balance. Urea, lithium, phenytoin, and loop diuretics have been reported to be effective, but there are few data to support their use. Future research into the treatment of SIADH must be directed at developing effective antagonists of ADH. Treatment of SIADH consists of elimination of underlying causes and restriction of fluid intake; if these measures are unsuccessful or poorly tolerated, long-term drug therapy may be indicated.