Evaluation of criterion-based audit in improving quality of neonatal birth asphyxia care at Balaka district hospital in Malawi.

backgroundBirth asphyxia remains one of the leading causes of neonatal deaths worldwide with a higher incidence in resource limited countries such as Malawi. At Balaka district hospital, Birth asphyxia is the primary cause of neonatal mortality accounting for 37.3% of the district's neonatal deaths. Although various quality improvement initiatives on birth asphyxia such as Helping Babies Breathe have been documented in Malawi, there is limited information on use of criterion-based audit (CBA) to enhance the care of neonates with birth asphyxia. Criterion-based audit is a systematic and critical analysis that seeks to improve quality of care by reviewing cases against an explicit criterion and using findings to modify practice as necessary. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of CBA in improving the quality of neonatal birth asphyxia care at Balaka district hospital in Malawi.

methodsA CBA on the care of asphyxiated neonates was conducted at Balaka district hospital in Malawi. The care practices were assessed through a retrospective review of 110 cases notes which were selected by systematic random sampling technique. The care practices were compared with locally established standards, by a multidisciplinary team, based on the Malawi guidelines on care of the infant and newborn and World Health Organization documents. The gaps in the current practice were identified, reasons discussed, and recommendations were made and implemented. A re-audit was conducted on 110 case notes, six months after the initial audit.

resultsThe re-audit showed significant improvements in most of the set criteria for quality care: Checking of vital signs (80% vs. 98.2%; p = 0.000), laboratory investigations done (0.9% vs. 74%; p = 0.000), thermal support (82.7% vs. 91.8%; p = 0.041), correct diagnosis (60% vs. 81%; p = 0.001), correct treatment (18.7% vs. 81%; p = 0.000), correct feeding (12.7% vs. 56.4%; p = 0.000), Clinical officers conducting ward rounds (0% vs. 72%; p = 0.000), and daily weight check (49.1% vs. 93%; p = 0.000). Additionally, neonatal death decreased from 11% in the initial audit to 5% in the re-audit.

conclusionCriterion-based audit is a low-cost tool that can significantly improve the care of neonates with birth asphyxia in resource-limited countries.