Development and assessment of indicators for quality of care in severe preeclampsia/eclampsia and postpartum hemorrhage

Abstract

Severe preeclampsia/eclampsia and postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) are serious obstetric problems worldwide. Quality improvement of care measured by evidence-based indicators is recommended as a recent important strategy; however, the indicators for quality of care of these two conditions have not been established. This study aimed to develop such indicators and assess their validity, reliability, and feasibility at different contextual levels. Of 32 initially valid indicators for care of severe preeclampsia/eclampsia, after two rounds of Delphi technique, 21 and 30 indicators were agreed to be suitable to monitor care at district and referral hospitals. Of 13 initial indicators for PPH, 8 and 13 indicators were selected, respectively. The interrater reliability of indicators varied from 0.28 to 0.63. At least three-fourths of all indicators rated by local doctors and nurses were assessed as feasible in terms of relevance, measurability, and improvability. The process identified reliable and feasible performance indicators to monitor quality of care in severe preeclampsia/eclampsia and PPH for either basic or comprehensive emergency obstetric care (EmOC). The informative applicability of these indicators in clinical practice needs further evaluation.