Improving the process of evaluating the quality of care in “maternal near miss” at hospital level: an action research study protocol
Year: 2024
Type: article
Study design: Study Protocol
Abstract: The fifth Millennium Development Goal aims to improve maternal health by reducing maternal mortality by 75% from 1990 to 2015. Consequently, utilizing quality care indicators and performance evaluations is crucial for providing effective services. This study aimed to evaluate the quality of care for critically ill mothers in hospitals through action research. This study involves action research utilizing reform cycles, including focus group meetings with the head of the midwifery office, maternity hospital officials, gynecologists, and midwives from Mashhad University of Medical Sciences. Following a severe morbidity incident resulting in maternal death, a hospital meeting will convene to investigate the root causes. This committee will review the hospital records from the mother's admission to discharge to identify necessary preventive measures against malpractice. Sampling is purposeful. Sample size will be determined by data saturation. The project's final results, along with participant feedback, will inform the planning of the second action research cycle, which will encompass planning, implementation, observation, and reflection. The final report will be submitted to officials for approval, and the number of invitees for subsequent meetings will be based on study findings, facilitating discussion and decision-making for ongoing processes. Ultimately, the final care quality assessment process will be prepared for presentation. In many birth blocks, women experiencing severe complications from pregnancy and childbirth face similar health issues. Quality care is essential for global strategies aimed at eliminating avoidable deaths. Ethical code IR.MUMS.NURSE.REC. 1402.024. In many regions, women facing severe complications during pregnancy and childbirth share similar health challenges. These mothers often either die or come “close to death,” and understanding this process can help prevent future cases. “Mothers close to death” refer to those who experience life-threatening complications but survive through pregnancy, delivery, and up to 6 weeks postpartum. The fifth Millennium Development Goal aims to enhance maternal health, with two main objectives: (1) reduce the maternal mortality rate by 75% from 1990 to 2015, and (2) achieve universal access to reproductive health by 2015. Following 2015, the Sustainable Development Goals set a target of reducing maternal deaths to below 70 per 100,000 live births by 2030. The assessment of maternal health now focuses not just on statistics but also on the quality of care. Thus, quality care indicators and performance evaluations are essential for improving services. Severe maternal morbidity is a critical indicator for enhancing maternal care by identifying weaknesses and areas needing improvement. This study aims to evaluate the care quality for “close to death” mothers in hospitals through action research. By addressing current challenges, we aim to identify causes and preventable factors contributing to maternal deaths. The study will explore obstacles in evaluating quality services for mothers in critical condition and seek agreed-upon solutions. It will involve reform cycles and focus group meetings with the provincial midwifery office head, maternity hospital officials, gynecologists, and midwives from Mashhad University of Medical Sciences-affiliated hospitals.
Source: Reproductive Health
Institution: Mashhad University of Medical Sciences
Language: English
Subfield: Health Information Management
Field: Health Professions
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $3,090
OpenAlex ID: W4405024043