Standard operating procedure for the management and prevention of post-partum haemorrhage in a public general hospital in rural South India: a quality improvement project

Abstract

Background: The Obstetrician stationed in a Public General Hospital noticed that there were no standard guidelines nor any assessment tool for the management of post-partum hemorrhage (PPH). This developed the idea to prepare a standard protocol.

Methods: Aiming to ensure prevention and proper management of PPH in the Maternity ward, a team was formed to perform a Quality improvement project (QIP). A Standard operating procedure (SOP) was formulated referring to the National Health Mission (NHM). Outcome indicators were defined. A series of interventions were implemented and assessed using Plan-Do-Study-Act (PDSA) cycles. The findings from the PDSA cycle of a previous intervention were used to implement change in the next intervention. The data was analysed to accept the change or to further modify it.

Results: At the end of 3 months, percentage of patients with PPH reduced by 3%, percentage of patients diagnosed with PPH within the 1st hour increased by 50%, percentage of patients with PPH treated appropriately increased by 20% and percentage of patients requiring referral due to PPH decreased by 15%. Thus, at the end of 3 months there was significant improvement in the values of the outcome indicators.

Conclusions: In the span of few months, we were able to implement an SOP and bring a significant improvement in the management of PPH in the maternity ward.