Intrapartum Care in Kenya & Uganda
1. Data Strengthening
Good data is an important tool in improving the quality of care because it can demonstrate the need for change and pinpoint gaps and weaknesses in both health care facilities and in care of women and preterm newborns. To capture the true burden of preterm birth in our East Africa locations and determine where health care facilities need improvement, we are strengthening data systems by training healthcare workers on the importance of good data and on how to effectively collect it. We are also introducing new data tools for collecting and analyzing data. By training health care workers, data quality improves and capacity is built to insure good data collection is sustained once the project ends. In addition, this data strengthening project provides important baseline information, which enables us to measure whether our interventions are working. To learn more about the importance of data, view this video:
2. Simulation & Team Training
To improve the performance of the labor and delivery teams, we are partnering with PRONTO International, an NGO that develops simulation and team training for obstetric and neonatal emergency response in resource-limited settings. Their approach allows healthcare providers to practice skills in high-stress situations to ensure appropriate responses during an actual emergency. With our in-country partners and PRONTO consultants, we have worked to develop locally relevant, simulation-based curricula.
3. Quality Improvement
Continuous Quality Improvement (QI) cycles are another component to our interventions package. Through the simulation and team training, we identify opportunities to improve systems. Then we support facility-led quality improvement cycles and convene cross-facility learning sessions to improve conditions in healthcare facilities.
4. Modified WHO Safe Childbirth Checklist
We have modified the WHO Safe Childbirth Checklist to focus on five specific time points in labor, delivery and the postpartum period. We are piloting it in health care facilities in Uganda and Kenya to see if it helps improve care and reduce preterm birth.