FOLIC-ACID PRESCRIPTION IN PREGNANCY

We resolved to prescribe folic acid supplements for all women who atte nded this practice during the first twelve weeks of pregnancy. Six mon ths after this decision a prescription was recorded in only 13% of cas es: this compared with 18% during the two months immediately following the decision. It was resolved to improve this performance and observa tions six months later revealed a prescription recorded in 63% of case s. Subsequently a new form for recording an antenatal consultation was devised and six months after its implementation, 100% recording of fo late prescription for appropriate cases was observed. It was concluded that these simple audit exercises prompted changes in practice which helped to improve standards of patient care.