A quality of care assessment of the management of obstetric haemorrhage in the Peninsula Maternal and Neonatal Services

Includes bibliographical references (leaves 64-68).In South Africa obstetric haemorrhage is the third most common cause of maternal deaths. In addition to maternal mortality audits, quality of care audits using criterion based audit methodology provides useful information. The aim of this study was to audit the management of all women with severe obstetric haemorrhage in the Peninsula Maternal and Neonatal Services in order to improve management. A descriptive retrospective audit was conducted during the period August 2006 to August 2007 using a criterion based audit methodology. Cases of severe obstetric haemorrhage were identified prospectively. Folders were reviewed and data collection sheets utilized to: 1. Describe the demographics and causes of obstetric haemorrhage in the Peninsula Maternal and Neonatal Services, 2. Measure the case fatality ratio, 3. Describe the management of women with severe obstetric haemorrhage with reference to that prescribed in the South African National Guidelines (2002-2004), 4. Score the management provided by the Peninsula Maternal and Neonatal Services using a shorter checklist devised from the National Guidelines