Criteria-based clinical audit of the management of four leading obstetric complications in two public hospitals in Hawassa city, Sidama, Ethiopia

Abstract

Background: Despite important progress that has been made in the last few years, the performance of quality care in reducing maternal morbidity and mortality is still substandard, especially in developing countries. This criteria-based clinical audit aimed to prospectively assess the management of life-threatening obstetric conditions in two public hospitals in Hawassa city, southern Ethiopia.

Methods: From January 2020 to March 2020 G.C., an institutional-based cross-sectional clinical audit study was conducted to evaluate the actual practices of management of four leading causes of obstetric morbidities in two public hospitals in Hawassa city using a standardized criteria-based clinical audit checklist. 

Results: Out of 367 mothers studied, 73.3% (280) were in the age group of 28–37 years. The gestational age of most participants (76.3%) was between 28 – 37 weeks. One hundred eighty-six (49.6%) cases of obstetric hemorrhage, 112 (30.5%) cases of eclampsia, 35 (9.5%) cases of obstructed labor, and 15 (4.1%)  cases of uterine rupture were admitted during the auditing period. According to the registrations, the standard care that the women received was 69.8%  (74 out of 106) for eclampsia, 46.8%  (87 out of 186) for hemorrhage, and 38.2% (13 out of 34) for obstructed labor.

Conclusion: In the majority of cases, it was discovered that the documentation of services provided to women with the main causes of obstetrical morbidities was subpar. The standard of care provided to the women was likewise inadequate. We urge healthcare facilities to have proper documentation and a regular clinical audit system. Furthermore, we advocate for enhancing the standard of care for obstetric complications in accordance with the established criteria.