A criteria-based audit to improve early postnatal care in Jinja, Uganda

Abstract

Background: Globally, 50% of maternal deaths and 40% of neonatal deaths occur within 24 hours of birth, notably in developing countries. ( Khanal et al, 2014 ). The provision of postnatal care in Uganda is low: only 2% of mothers are reported to have received a postnatal check-up within one hour. Objective: To assess and improve the provision of postnatal care within the first 6 hours of birth. Methods: A criteria-based audit was carried out by retro-spectively evaluating 400 case records, to observe practice in the immediate postnatal period against agreed standards. Results: Findings demonstrated that standards were infrequently met, and that assessment of the mother after admission to the postnatal ward was also found to be low. Selected interventions were introduced, and a re-audit 2 months later revealed significant improvements in the delivery of postnatal care for both mothers and babies. Findings: Criteria-based audit is a feasible quality improvement strategy, and the identification of simple interventions registered remarkable improvement, which is essential for quality postnatal care within the first 6 hours of birth.