Examining the quality of care across the continuum of maternal care (antenatal, perinatal and postnatal care) under the expanded free maternity policy (Linda Mama Policy) in Kenya: a mixed-methods study.

BACKGROUND: Kenya still faces the challenge of mothers and neonates dying from preventable pregnancy-related complications. The free maternity policy (FMP), implemented in 2013 and expanded in 2017 (Linda Mama Policy (LMP)), sought to address this challenge. This study examines the quality of care (QoC) across the continuum of maternal care under the LMP in Kenya. METHODS: We conducted a convergent parallel mixed-methods study across multiple levels of the Kenyan health system, involving key informant interviews with national stakeholders (n=15), in-depth interviews with county officials and healthcare workers (HCWs) (n=21), exit interview survey with mothers (n=553) who utilised the LMP delivery services, and focus group discussions (n=9) with mothers who returned for postnatal visits (at 6, 10 and 14 weeks). Quantitative data were analysed descriptively, while qualitative data were analysed thematically. All the data were triangulated at the analysis and discussion stage using a framework approach guided by the QoC for maternal and newborns. RESULTS: The results showed that the expanded FMP enhanced maternal care access: geographical, financial and service utilisation. However, the facilities and HCWs bore the brunt of the increased workload and burnout. There was a longer waiting time for the initial visit by the pregnant women because of the enhanced antenatal care package of the LMP. The availability and standards of equipment, supplies and infrastructure still posed challenges. Nurses were multitasking and motivated despite the human resources challenge. Mothers were happy to have received care information; however, there were challenges regarding respect and dignity they received (inadequate food, over-crowding, bed-sharing and lack of privacy), and they experienced physical, verbal and emotional abuse and a lack of attention/care. CONCLUSIONS: Addressing the negative aspects of QoC while strengthening the positives is necessary to achieve the Universal Health Coverage goals through better quality service for every woman.

A Fetal Risk Stratification Pathway for Neonatal Aortic Coarctation Reduces Medical Exposure.

OBJECTIVE: To test the hypothesis that a fetal stratification pathway will effectively discriminate between infants at different levels of risk for surgical coarctation and reduce unnecessary medicalization. STUDY DESIGN: We performed a pre-post nonrandomized study in which we prospectively assigned fetuses with prenatal concern for coarctation to 1 of 3 risk categories and implemented a clinical pathway for postnatal management. Postnatal clinical outcomes were compared with those in a historical control group that were not triaged based on the pathway. RESULTS: The study cohort comprised 109 fetuses, including 57 treated along the fetal coarctation pathway and 52 historical controls. Among mild-risk fetuses, 3% underwent surgical coarctation repair (0% of those without additional heart defects), compared with 27% of moderate-risk and 63% of high-risk fetuses. The combined fetal aortic, mitral, and isthmus z-score best discriminated which infants underwent surgery (area under the curve = 0.78; 95% CI, 0.66-0.91). Compared with historical controls, infants triaged according to the fetal coarctation pathway had fewer delivery location changes (76% vs 55%; P = .025) and less umbilical venous catheter placement (74% vs 51%; P = .046). Trends toward shorter intensive care unit stay, hospital stay, and time to enteral feeding did not reach statistical significance. CONCLUSIONS: A stratified risk-assignment pathway effectively identifies a group of fetuses with a low rate of surgical coarctation and reduces unnecessary medicalization in infants who do not undergo aortic surgery. Incorporation of novel measurements or imaging techniques may improve the specificity of high-risk criteria.

How can we improve perinatal care in isolated multiple intestinal atresia? A retrospective study with a 30-year literature review.

INTRODUCTION: Multiple intestinal atresia (MIA) is a rare cause of neonatal intestinal obstruction. To provide an overview of the current prenatal, surgical, and nutritional management of MIA, we report our experience and a literature review of papers published after 1990. METHODS: All cases of isolated MIA (non-hereditary, not associated with apple-peel syndrome or gastroschisis) treated at our institution between 2005 and 2016 were reviewed and compared with cases found in the literature. RESULTS: Seven patients were prenatally suspected of having intestinal obstruction and were postnatally diagnosed with MIA, with a mean 1.7 (1-2) resections-anastomoses (RA) and 6 (1-10) strictureplasties performed, resulting in a mean resected bowel length of 15.1cm (15-25 cm). Median time to full oral feed was 46 days (14-626 days). All patients were alive and none had orality disorder after a mean follow-up of 3.1 years (0.2-8.1 years). Three surgical strategies were found in the literature review: multiple RA (68%, 34/50) including Santulli's technique in four of 34 (12%) and anastomoses over a transanastomotic tube (32%, 16/50), with a 98% survival rate, and short-bowel syndrome for only two patients. CONCLUSION: Bowel-sparing surgery and appropriate medical management are key to ensuring a favorable nutritional and gastrointestinal outcome and a good prognosis. Prenatal assessment and standardization of the surgical course of treatment remain challenging.

Qualidade da assistência ao parto e sua relação com a duração do aleitamento materno exclusivo entre mulheres usuárias do Sistema Único de Saúde no município de Ribeirão Preto/SP / Quality of childbirth care and its relationship with the duration of exclusive breastfeeding among women users of the Unified Health System in the city of Ribeirão Preto / SP

O aleitamento materno exclusivo é a mais sábia estratégia natural de vínculo, afeto, proteção e nutrição para a criança é recomendado pela Organização Mundial da Saúde até o sexto mês de vida da criança. Realizou-se um estudo longitudinal prospectivo, observacional, analítico e quantitativo que avaliou a assistência perinatal em uma maternidade de risco comum de um município do interior paulista, à luz das Boas Práticas de Atenção ao Parto e Nascimento. Utilizou-se o escore de Bologna, que combina as cinco práticas recomendadas pela OMS, a soma dessas cinco avaliações representa a qualidade da assistência, escore varia de 0 a 5, e no grupo estudado o escore médio foi de 3,1 segundo os dados coletados das 104 participantes do estudo. Na aplicação do escore de Bologna, os resultados encontrados sobre a qualidade avaliada mostraram que quanto mais próximo de 5, melhor a qualidade. A associação foi estatisticamente significativa (p<0.05) para o profissional enfermeiro na assistência perinatal e a condição de consumo de leite materno exclusivo nos 30 dias pós parto, das 78 mulheres entrevistadas, 62 delas tinham sido atendidas por enfermeiras, sendo que 100% destas consideravam o leite materno o único alimento oferecido a criança, comparado as 18 mulheres que não tiveram assistência da enfermeira, (14) 87,5% dessas mulheres responderam que consideravam o leite materno como único alimento oferecido. Os resultados indicam que a maternidade atingir padrões de qualidade condizentes com um modelo de atendimento viável recomendado pela OMS. Demonstrou-se também que o parto atendido pelo profissional enfermeiro, determinou que houvesse maiores escores de qualidade na assistência e que aumentassem o tempo de aleitamento materno exclusivo

Exclusive breastfeeding is the wisest natural strategy of bonding, affection, protection and nutrition for the child and is recommended by the World Health Organization until the child's sixth month of life. A prospective, observational, analytical and quantitative longitudinal study was carried out, and that evaluated perinatal care in a maternity hospital of common risk in a municipality in the interior of São Paulo, in the light of Good Practices in Childbirth and Birth Care. The Bologna score was used, which combines the five practices recommended by the WHO, the sum of these five assessments represents the quality of care, the score ranges from 0 to 5, and in the studied group the average score was 3.1 according to the data collected from the 104 study participants. When applying the Bologna Score, the results found on the quality assessed were closer to 5, the better quality. The association was statistically significant (p <0.05) for the professional nurse in perinatal care and the condition of exclusive breast milk consumption in the 30 days postpartum, of the 78 women interviewed, 62 of them had been attended by nurses, 100% of whom they considered breast milk as the only food offered to the child, compared to the 18 women who did not have assistance from the nurse, (14) 87.5% of these women answered that they considered breast milk as the only food offered. The results indicate that motherhood reaches quality standards consistent with a viable care model recommended by WHO. It was also shown that the delivery attended by the professional nurse, determined that there were higher scores on quality of care and that they increase the time of exclusive breastfeeding

Cochrane Review Summaries-October 2020.

: With the current issue, the journal continues to bring new insights from Cochrane Systematic Reviews to the readers of Obstetrics & Gynecology. This month, we focus on potential interventions to improve pregnancy outcomes for women with recurrent pregnancy loss and antiphospholipid antibodies, the utility of pelvic floor muscle training in the perinatal period to prevent incontinence, and the use of adhesion barriers in gynecologic surgery. The summaries are published below, and the complete references with hyperlinks are listed in Box 1. BOX 1. ABSTRACTS DISCUSSED IN THIS SUMMARY.

Perinatal Palliative Care: ACOG COMMITTEE OPINION SUMMARY, Number 786.

Perinatal palliative care refers to a coordinated care strategy that comprises options for obstetric and newborn care that include a focus on maximizing quality of life and comfort for newborns with a variety of conditions considered to be life-limiting in early infancy. With a dual focus on ameliorating suffering and honoring patient values, perinatal palliative care can be provided concurrently with life-prolonging treatment. The focus of this document, however, involves the provision of exclusively palliative care without intent to prolong life in the context of a life-limiting condition, otherwise known as perinatal palliative comfort care. Once a life-limiting diagnosis is suspected antenatally, the tenets of informed consent require that the pregnant patient be given information of sufficient depth and breadth to make an informed, voluntary choice for her care. Health care providers are encouraged to model effective, compassionate communication that respects patient cultural beliefs and values and to promote shared decision making with patients. Perinatal palliative comfort care is one of several options along a spectrum of care, which includes pregnancy termination (abortion) and full neonatal resuscitation and treatment, that should be presented to pregnant patients faced with pregnancies complicated by life-limiting fetal conditions. If a patient opts to pursue perinatal palliative comfort care, a multidisciplinary team should be identified with the infrastructure and support to administer this care. The perinatal palliative care team should prepare families for the possibility that there may be differences of opinion between family members before and after the delivery of the infant, and that there may be differences between parents and the neonatal care providers about appropriate postnatal therapies, especially if the postnatal diagnosis and prognosis differ substantially from antenatal predictions. Procedures for resolving such differences should be discussed with families ahead of time.

Perinatal Palliative Care: ACOG COMMITTEE OPINION, Number 786.

Perinatal palliative care refers to a coordinated care strategy that comprises options for obstetric and newborn care that include a focus on maximizing quality of life and comfort for newborns with a variety of conditions considered to be life-limiting in early infancy. With a dual focus on ameliorating suffering and honoring patient values, perinatal palliative care can be provided concurrently with life-prolonging treatment. The focus of this document, however, involves the provision of exclusively palliative care without intent to prolong life in the context of a life-limiting condition, otherwise known as perinatal palliative comfort care. Once a life-limiting diagnosis is suspected antenatally, the tenets of informed consent require that the pregnant patient be given information of sufficient depth and breadth to make an informed, voluntary choice for her care. Health care providers are encouraged to model effective, compassionate communication that respects patient cultural beliefs and values and to promote shared decision making with patients. Perinatal palliative comfort care is one of several options along a spectrum of care, which includes pregnancy termination (abortion) and full neonatal resuscitation and treatment, that should be presented to pregnant patients faced with pregnancies complicated by life-limiting fetal conditions. If a patient opts to pursue perinatal palliative comfort care, a multidisciplinary team should be identified with the infrastructure and support to administer this care. The perinatal palliative care team should prepare families for the possibility that there may be differences of opinion between family members before and after the delivery of the infant, and that there may be differences between parents and the neonatal care providers about appropriate postnatal therapies, especially if the postnatal diagnosis and prognosis differ substantially from antenatal predictions. Procedures for resolving such differences should be discussed with families ahead of time.

Evidence-Based Practice: Improving the Quality of Perinatal Care.

BACKGROUND: For clinical research findings to improve the quality of care and outcomes for newborn infants and their families, they need to be implemented in policy and adopted in practice. METHODS: We describe the principles of effective dissemination and implementation of research findings and highlight examples of collaborative quality improvement strategies to ensure that guidelines, protocols, policies and practices reflect research-informed evidence. RESULTS: Passive dissemination of research findings is generally ineffective in driving change. Implementation strategies that use multi-faceted approaches acting on different barriers to change are better at driving improvements in the quality of care practices. These initiatives are increasingly embedded within regional, national and international networks of neonatal care centres that collaborate in conducting research, implementing its findings and auditing its uptake. Examples of successful network-based collaborative quality improvement programmes include efforts to increase use of evidence-based strategies to prevent hospital-acquired bloodstream infections, optimise surfactant replacement for preterm infants, reduce the incidence of bronchopulmonary dysplasia, improve antibiotic stewardship and promote the use of human milk to prevent necrotising enterocolitis in very-low-birth-weight infants. CONCLUSIONS: Effective dissemination and implementation are essential for research evidence to improve quality of care and outcomes for newborn infants and their families. Multifaceted initiatives within network-based collaborative quality improvement programmes facilitate continuous audit and benchmarking cycles to ensure equity of access to evidence-based care practices.

Perinatal Palliative Care: A qualitative study evaluating the perspectives of pregnancy counselors.

BACKGROUND: A prenatal diagnosis of a life-limiting disease raises complex ethical, emotional, and medical issues. Studies suggest that 40%-85% of parents decide to continue the pregnancy if given the option of Perinatal Palliative Care. However, structured Perinatal Palliative Care programs are missing in many European countries. In Germany, parents have the right to free psychosocial support from pregnancy counseling services after the prenatal diagnosis of a life-limiting disease. AIM: We aimed to investigate whether German professional pregnancy counselors perceive the need for structured Perinatal Palliative Care and if so, how it should be conceived. DESIGN: This is a qualitative interview study with purposeful sampling. The interviews were analyzed with the coding method of Saldaña. SETTING/PARTICIPANTS: A total of 10 professionals from three different pregnancy counseling services participated in the study. RESULTS: The main topics raised by the professionals were as follows: (1) counseling and parental support during the decision-making process; (2) fragmented or missing support infrastructure for parents; and (3) challenges, hesitations, and barriers, particularly from the different stakeholders, regarding a Perinatal Palliative Care framework. They highlighted the importance of the integration of Perinatal Palliative Care in existing structures, a multi-professional approach, continuous coordination of care and education for all healthcare providers involved. CONCLUSION: A structured Perinatal Palliative Care program is considered as necessary by the pregnancy counselors. Future research should focus on (1) needs reported by concerned parents; (2) attitude and role of all healthcare providers involved; (3) strategies to include stakeholders in the development of Perinatal Palliative Care networks; and (4) outcome parameters for evaluation of Perinatal Palliative Care frameworks.

[The vulnerability of Afro-Brazilian women in perinatal care in the Unified Health System: analysis of the Active Ombudsman survey]. / Vulnerabilidade de mulheres negras na atenção ao pré-natal e ao parto no SUS: análise da pesquisa da Ouvidoria Ativa.

With principles of respect to the protection and implementation of human rights, cultural, ethnic and racial diversity and also the promotion of equity, the Stork Network ensures the right to reproductive planning and continued provision of care in maternal and child health. This study sought to evaluate the Active Ombudsman Survey of the Stork Network conducted with women who had their births assisted by the Unified Health System (SUS) in 2012, in order to analyze ethnic/racial differences in prenatal and childbirth care. This descriptive study used the secondary database from the survey conducted by the SUS Ombudsman. The universe of this investigation was constituted by 253,647 women, and 50.8% self-declared themselves as brown, 35.4% white, 10.6% black 2.1% yellow, 0.6% Indians and for 0.5% race/color was not informed. Women of black/brown race appear to be worse off in socioeconomic characteristics, prenatal and childbirth care, in all variables studied, except concerning aggression and supplementary payment. Knowledge about inequalities and vulnerability of this group may serve to alert society and the government, and as a guideline for the development of policies and actions to reduce health inequalities.

Com princípios de respeito à proteção e à implementação dos direitos humanos, à diversidade cultural, étnica e racial e à promoção da equidade, a Rede Cegonha assegura direitos ao planejamento reprodutivo e provimento contínuo das ações de atenção à saúde materna e infantil. Este trabalho objetivou analisar diferenças na atenção ao pré-natal e ao parto no SUS segundo raça/cor a partir de dados da Pesquisa da Ouvidoria Ativa da Rede Cegonha em 2012. Este estudo descritivo utilizou o banco de dados secundários da pesquisa da Ouvidoria Geral do SUS. Constituíram o universo desta investigação 253.647 mulheres, sendo que 50,8% se autodeclararam pardas, 35,4% brancas, 10,6% pretas, 2,1% amarelas, 0,6% indígenas e de 0,5% sem informações sobre raça/cor. As mulheres de raça/cor preta/parda aparecem em piores condições nas características socioeconômicas, na assistência ao pré-natal e ao parto, em todas as variáveis estudadas, menos para agressão no parto e pagamento suplementar. Esse conhecimento sobre iniquidades e vulnerabilidades deve servir de alerta para a sociedade e para o poder público como diretriz para a elaboração de políticas e ações destinadas a reduzir desigualdades em saúde.

[New childbirth practices and the challenges for the humanization of health care in southern and southeastern Brazil]. / Novas práticas de atenção ao parto e os desafios para a humanização da assistência nas regiões sul e sudeste do Brasil.

The humanization of care in childbirth and the choice of performing cesarean or vaginal delivery have long been discussed in Brazil and worldwide. The complexities of the factors surrounding this issue range from the quality of obstetric care through to the significance of childbirth for women. A new proposal for humanization of delivery was introduced by the Brazilian Ministry of Health, the objectives of which were to make changes to the current system of delivery practices regarding, access, care, quality and resolution, in order to make it a more human and less technical experience. The Sofia Feldman Hospital, in Belo Horizonte - MG, is a benchmark in the adoption of best practices in care during childbirth, according to the Brazilian National Health Agency. However, for the humanization to become a national reality, there are still many challenges to be overcome within the public health system and the private partnerships. The most important problems are related with the current education system that continues to prepare health professionals to act in an interventional way, focused on the physician figure. This study aims to provide an overview about the different humanized care practices focused on pregnancy and childbirth, conducted in southern and southeastern Brazil.

Os diferentes modelos de assistência ao parto e a escolha pela realização de cesáreas ou parto vaginal há tempos são debatidos no Brasil e no mundo. A complexidade dos fatores que cercam o tipo de parto escolhido e sua assistência tem suscitado questionamentos que vão desde a qualidade da atenção obstétrica até o significado da parturição para as mulheres. Assim, a nova proposta do Ministério da Saúde (MS), de humanização na atenção ao parto estabelecendo mudanças em relação ao acesso, assistência, qualidade e resolutividade, tem por objetivo tornar a experiência da gestação mais humanizada e menos tecnicista. O Hospital Sofia Feldman, em Belo Horizonte (MG), é tido como referência pelas boas práticas nessa área, de acordo com a Agência Nacional de Saúde Suplementar. Para que a humanização do cuidado gestacional se torne uma realidade nacional ainda existem muitos desafios a serem superados dentro dos sistemas de saúde, como problemas, sobretudo quanto ao sistema de formação educacional, o qual continua a preparar profissionais de saúde dentro do modelo intervencionista, focado na figura do médico. O presente estudo tem por objetivo fornecer um panorama acerca das diferentes práticas assistenciais humanizadas, voltadas à gestação e ao parto, realizadas nas regiões sul e sudeste do Brasil.

Is There a Relationship Between Gestational Diabetes and Perinatal Depression?

Perinatal depression (PND) is one of the leading complications associated with childbirth. Early detection and treatment of depression, particularly during the perinatal period, is essential for the promotion of positive maternal-child outcomes. Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) has been suggested as a confounding factor associated with PND. Concerns associated with PND include interference with maternal-newborn bonding and long-term effects of neurobehavioral consequences. An exemplar case describing one woman's experience with GDM and her subsequent complications associated with PND is presented to discuss maternal depression and its plausible association with GDM. Recommendations include universal screening with the validated Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale screening tool during the early perinatal period to reduce incidence of maternal-newborn complications associated with PND and promote underpinnings for best practice.

Vulnerabilidade de mulheres negras na atenção ao pré-natal e ao parto no SUS: análise da pesquisa da Ouvidoria Ativa / The vulnerability of Afro-Brazilian women in perinatal care in the Unified Health System: analysis of the Active Ombudsman survey

Resumo Com princípios de respeito à proteção e à implementação dos direitos humanos, à diversidade cultural, étnica e racial e à promoção da equidade, a Rede Cegonha assegura direitos ao planejamento reprodutivo e provimento contínuo das ações de atenção à saúde materna e infantil. Este trabalho objetivou analisar diferenças na atenção ao pré-natal e ao parto no SUS segundo raça/cor a partir de dados da Pesquisa da Ouvidoria Ativa da Rede Cegonha em 2012. Este estudo descritivo utilizou o banco de dados secundários da pesquisa da Ouvidoria Geral do SUS. Constituíram o universo desta investigação 253.647 mulheres, sendo que 50,8% se autodeclararam pardas, 35,4% brancas, 10,6% pretas, 2,1% amarelas, 0,6% indígenas e de 0,5% sem informações sobre raça/cor. As mulheres de raça/cor preta/parda aparecem em piores condições nas características socioeconômicas, na assistência ao pré-natal e ao parto, em todas as variáveis estudadas, menos para agressão no parto e pagamento suplementar. Esse conhecimento sobre iniquidades e vulnerabilidades deve servir de alerta para a sociedade e para o poder público como diretriz para a elaboração de políticas e ações destinadas a reduzir desigualdades em saúde.

Abstract With principles of respect to the protection and implementation of human rights, cultural, ethnic and racial diversity and also the promotion of equity, the Stork Network ensures the right to reproductive planning and continued provision of care in maternal and child health. This study sought to evaluate the Active Ombudsman Survey of the Stork Network conducted with women who had their births assisted by the Unified Health System (SUS) in 2012, in order to analyze ethnic/racial differences in prenatal and childbirth care. This descriptive study used the secondary database from the survey conducted by the SUS Ombudsman. The universe of this investigation was constituted by 253,647 women, and 50.8% self-declared themselves as brown, 35.4% white, 10.6% black 2.1% yellow, 0.6% Indians and for 0.5% race/color was not informed. Women of black/brown race appear to be worse off in socioeconomic characteristics, prenatal and childbirth care, in all variables studied, except concerning aggression and supplementary payment. Knowledge about inequalities and vulnerability of this group may serve to alert society and the government, and as a guideline for the development of policies and actions to reduce health inequalities.

Novas práticas de atenção ao parto e os desafios para a humanização da assistência nas regiões sul e sudeste do Brasil / New childbirth practices and the challenges for the humanization of health care in southern and southeastern Brazil

Resumo Os diferentes modelos de assistência ao parto e a escolha pela realização de cesáreas ou parto vaginal há tempos são debatidos no Brasil e no mundo. A complexidade dos fatores que cercam o tipo de parto escolhido e sua assistência tem suscitado questionamentos que vão desde a qualidade da atenção obstétrica até o significado da parturição para as mulheres. Assim, a nova proposta do Ministério da Saúde (MS), de humanização na atenção ao parto estabelecendo mudanças em relação ao acesso, assistência, qualidade e resolutividade, tem por objetivo tornar a experiência da gestação mais humanizada e menos tecnicista. O Hospital Sofia Feldman, em Belo Horizonte (MG), é tido como referência pelas boas práticas nessa área, de acordo com a Agência Nacional de Saúde Suplementar. Para que a humanização do cuidado gestacional se torne uma realidade nacional ainda existem muitos desafios a serem superados dentro dos sistemas de saúde, como problemas, sobretudo quanto ao sistema de formação educacional, o qual continua a preparar profissionais de saúde dentro do modelo intervencionista, focado na figura do médico. O presente estudo tem por objetivo fornecer um panorama acerca das diferentes práticas assistenciais humanizadas, voltadas à gestação e ao parto, realizadas nas regiões sul e sudeste do Brasil.

Abstract The humanization of care in childbirth and the choice of performing cesarean or vaginal delivery have long been discussed in Brazil and worldwide. The complexities of the factors surrounding this issue range from the quality of obstetric care through to the significance of childbirth for women. A new proposal for humanization of delivery was introduced by the Brazilian Ministry of Health, the objectives of which were to make changes to the current system of delivery practices regarding, access, care, quality and resolution, in order to make it a more human and less technical experience. The Sofia Feldman Hospital, in Belo Horizonte - MG, is a benchmark in the adoption of best practices in care during childbirth, according to the Brazilian National Health Agency. However, for the humanization to become a national reality, there are still many challenges to be overcome within the public health system and the private partnerships. The most important problems are related with the current education system that continues to prepare health professionals to act in an interventional way, focused on the physician figure. This study aims to provide an overview about the different humanized care practices focused on pregnancy and childbirth, conducted in southern and southeastern Brazil.

[Perinatal health and medical administrative data: What uses, which stakeholders, what the issues for birth data? - Special REDSIAM]. / Périnatalité et bases de données médico-administratives : quels usages, quels acteurs, quels enjeux pour les données sur les naissances ? ­ Spécial REDSIAM.

BACKGROUND: The uses of medical administrative data (MAD/BDMA) emerged in perinatal health following the work on regionalization of very pre-term birth. They have become more numerous since the late 2000s. The objective of this article is to take stock of the existing work carried out within the REDSIAM-perinatality group, on MAD/BDMA and their uses for the period of "birth". METHODS: The studied MADs are the Hospital Discharge Data (PMSI) and the French national health database (SNIIRAM). The material includes knowledge shared by the members of the REDSIAM-perinatality group, scientific references and gray literature. RESULTS: Our exploratory study shows that the uses of MAD in perinatal health are diversified at the local, regional and national levels. The works and publications, increasing, take the form of public access of processed data. Collective thinking makes it possible to move from a localized use to an institution, a network or several, to a national use and an inscription in public authorities' responses. In 2015/2016, two institutional sites provide access to data on maternal and child health: Data.Drees and ATIH ScanSanté. MAD/BDMA uses are multiple: epidemiological use (count of births by gestational age, weight in particular; perinatal indicators), quality of care, planning (maternity activities, regionalization of care). There is an increasing interest among stakeholders, producers and/or operators of MAD/BDMA (decision-makers, professionals or researchers). CONCLUSION: The BDMA, including the PMSI and the SNIIRAM, are used and relevant in Perinatal health with the rise of health networks, the territorialisation of health, in an increased demand for quality of care. Their use will increase the reliability of the data collected and an inscription in the validation studies, more and more numerous in the field of BDMA. The algorithms need to be more finely compiled, validated and enhanced.

Data accuracy in the Victorian Perinatal Data Collection: Results of a validation study of 2011 data.

OBJECTIVE: Public health data sets such as the Victorian Perinatal Data Collection (VPDC) provide an important source for health planning, monitoring, policy, research and reporting purposes. Data quality is paramount, requiring periodic assessment of data accuracy. This article describes the conduct and findings of a validation study of data on births in 2011 extracted from the VPDC. METHOD: Data from a random sample of one percent of births in Victoria in 2011 were extracted from original medical records at the birth hospital and compared with data held in the VPDC. Accuracy was determined for 93 variables. Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value were calculated for dichotomous items. RESULTS: Accuracy of 17 data items was 99% or more, the majority being neonatal and intrapartum items, and 95% or more for 46 items. Episodes of care with the highest proportion of items with accuracy of 95% or more were neonatal and postnatal items at 80 and 64%, respectively. Accuracy was below 80% for nine items introduced in 2009. Agreement between medical records and VPDC data ranged from 48% to 100%, the exception being two highly inaccurate smoking-related items. Reasons for discrepancies between VPDC data and medical records included miscoding, missing and inconsistent information. CONCLUSION: This study found high levels of accuracy for data reported to the VPDC for births in 2011; however, some data items introduced in 2009 and not previously validated were less accurate. Data may be used with confidence overall and with awareness of limitations for some new items.

The Burden of Respiratory Disease in Very-Low-Birth-Weight Infants: Changes in Perinatal Care and Outcomes in a Decade in Spain.

BACKGROUND: Advances in perinatal care have led to a significant reduction in morbidity and mortality among very-low-birth-weight (VLBW) infants. Much of this progress is related to the prevention and management of respiratory disease. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate changes in perinatal care and its influence on respiratory morbidity and mortality among VLBW infants in Spain in 2 consecutive periods (2002-2006 and 2007-2011). METHODS: This is a retrospective analysis of data prospectively collected of all VLBW infants included in the Spanish SEN1500 network. Patients with major congenital anomalies, those who died in the delivery room (DR) and infants <230 or >346 weeks of gestational age (GA) were excluded. RESULTS: During the study period, out of 27,205 eligible VLBW infants, 24,598 (90.4%) met inclusion criteria. The most striking and statistically significant results found in the second period were: (i) reduction in the proportion of "outborn" patients; (ii) an increase in prenatal steroid administration; (iii) enhanced non-invasive respiratory support in the DR and NICU; (iv) reduction in invasive mechanical ventilation, surfactant administration, and steroids for bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD). Moreover, survival to hospital discharge increased (83.5 vs. 84.7%; p = 0.015); however, survival without BPD increased only among the most immature (230 to 266 weeks' GA) from 26.6 to 31.6% (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Enhanced adherence to international recommendations in perinatal care and a significant reduction in mortality were found during the second period. Survival without BPD increased only among the most immature. Further investigation is needed to optimize the strategies to prevent and manage respiratory disease in this group of patients.