OBSTETRIC CHARACTERISTICS PROFILES AS QUALITY ASSESSMENT OF OBSTETRICCARE

Citation
Pm. Elferinkstinkens et al., OBSTETRIC CHARACTERISTICS PROFILES AS QUALITY ASSESSMENT OF OBSTETRICCARE, European journal of obstetrics, gynecology, and reproductive biology, 51(2), 1993, pp. 85-90
Citations number
6
Categorie Soggetti
Reproductive Biology","Obsetric & Gynecology
ISSN journal
03012115
Volume
51
Issue
2
Year of publication
1993
Pages
85 - 90
Database
ISI
SICI code
0301-2115(1993)51:2<85:OCPAQA>2.0.ZU;2-4
Abstract
In The Netherlands only about 50% of all pregnancies are defined as hi gh risk pregnancies and consequently come into the domain of care of a n obstetrician. In order to qualify as a high risk pregnancy, the preg nancy must satisfy certain criteria contained in an officially approve d list of indications. Due to varying perceptions of these selection c riteria by the selectors, larger differences in the treated population , obstetric interventions and results, respectively, were expected tha n in other countries. Within the framework of the project 'Obstetric P eer Review' (Verloskundige Onderlinge Kwaliteitsspiegeling, VOKS) the type and the magnitude of the differences of the values of the obstetr ic characteristics of population, interventions and results, respectiv ely have been investigated. For the high risk pregnancies the data con tained in the Perinatal Database of The Netherlands were used for the years 1983-1987, both inclusive. Because the various obstetric departm ents in The Netherlands had been unaware of these differences, consequ ently they had to become conscious about these differences and be info rmed about their own position relative to the others. For an instant c omparison a single sheet graphical method has been designed, affording the assessment of one's own obstetric characteristics relative to tho se of other departments for the above mentioned 5 years for each of th e 25 items considered. All departments, which participated in the Peri natal Database of The Netherlands during the years 1983-1987, received their own profiles and were invited to reply. Large differences were observed for the various characteristics considered. The departments t hemselves found the information about their values, relative to all ot her departments, nearly always useful, the response rate being 81%.