THE EFFECT OF HOSPITAL STAFF TRAINING ON MANAGEMENT OF OBSTETRICAL PATIENTS REFERRED BY TRADITIONAL BIRTH ATTENDANTS

A hospital staff training program was conducted in Guatemala to improv e outcomes for patients with obstetrical and neonatal complications. T his study examines the effect of the training program on the subset of women referred to the hospital by traditional birth attendants (TBAs) . The program's goals were to institute standards of care for obstetri cal and neonatal patients as well as to improve relations between hosp ital staff and TBAs. The training program was evaluated by comparing c hanges in the number of referrals, patient satisfaction, patient manag ement, as well as Apgar scores and perinatal mortality. Evaluations we re based on 756 questionnaires administered to TEA referred mothers. T here was a significant increase in the overall numbers of referred wom en as well as improvement in patient satisfaction and decreased waitin g time between admission and treatment. Apgar scores and perinatal mor tality also improved, but changes were not statistically significant.