Quality assurance of prenatal care in a rural health center
García-Pardo Sagarna, T.; Louro González, A.; Zamora Casal, A.; Gallegos Pita, J.; Pérez Echevarría, M.; Vidan Martínez, L.
Atencion Primaria 9(7): 370-373
1992
ISSN/ISBN: 0212-6567 PMID: 1617095 Document Number: 390563
This study was carried out with the aim of evaluating the quality of Prenatal Care (PNC) and improving attention to the pregnant woman. This was a retrospective evaluation, with a later monitoring of two indicators: an early start to care and an evaluation of risk. Site. The study was undertaken in a rural Primary Care Centre. For purposes of the evaluation all the pregnant women (222) looked after between 1988 and 1990 were studied; for the monitoring, all those between July 1990 and June 1991. On the first evaluation, both the starting of PNC within the first 12 weeks (in 65% of cases) and the evaluation of obstetric risk at the first visit (29% compliance) were considered unacceptably low. With the help of corrective measures and simple practical monitoring, 100% compliance was reached in 12 months. The risk evaluation on subsequent visits (between 73 and 95% compliance) and the number of checks (90% compliance) were considered adequate, and no intervention was made. We concluded that the PNC programmes should include quality assurance activities, as these have a positive effect on the improvement of medical care.