Abstract
The purpose of this leadership project was to strengthen World Health Organization (WHO) signal functions in all seven-delivery sites in the district to improve responsiveness to routine and emergency care.
Apart from being a quality improvement project this project was also a leadership development initiative in the STTI Maternal Child Health Nurse Leadership Academy. Lejweleputswa is one of the five districts in South Africa that under-performed during 2011-2013 period with regard to perinatal outcomes. Baseline statics on current levels of WHO signal functions coverage was retrieved from District Health Information System using a designed tool. Facilities were classified as Basic Emergency Obstetric Care / Comprehensive Emergency obstetric Care. Seven facilities were assessed, results analyzed and shared with stakeholders.
Awareness and the need for change were created. A team was formed consisting of District Specialist Team and Unit managers. Action plans were drawn and empowerment was done using outreach and benchmarking. Resources were shared and reallocated. Process matters addressed with regard to acquisition plans and budgets and the campaign on Acceleration in Reduction of Maternal and Child mortality in Africa was launched.
Initial statistics showed evidence of effectiveness when one facility reached 100% compliance on signal functions. The project influenced the district strategic decisions. The worst performing delivery site was merged with regional hospital and it also resulted in the birth of reproductive health clinic and a successful CARMMA event. The Project was presented in the Free State Millennium Development Goal (MDG) count down summit and the signal functions are now part of the MEC injunctions.
Compliance on signal functions should be measured against the maternal and neonatal indicators. Results associated with the change would be measurable in the next triennium. Facility accreditation will be done based on signal functions. The mentee developed her leadership competencies throughout this project and can now with confidence function as a leader in practice.
Sigma Membership
Non-member
Type
Presentation
Format Type
Text-based Document
Study Design/Type
N/A
Research Approach
Qualitative Research
Keywords:
Maternal Child Nursing, WHO signal functions., Kouzes and Posner, The Leadership Challenge
Recommended Citation
Kumpi, Mookho; Motete, Rebecca; and Bekker, Elgonda, "Strengthening the signal functions in Lejweleputsua Health District" (2016). Maternal-Child Health Nurse Leadership - Africa. 2.
https://www.sigmarepository.org/mchnla/2015/presentations/2
Conference Name
STTI Tau Lambda Conference 2015
Conference Host
Tau Lambda at-Large Chapter of Sigma Theta Tau International
Conference Location
Johannesburg, South Africa
Conference Year
2015
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Review Type
Faculty/Mentor Approved: Sigma Academy Participant Poster
Acquisition
Proxy-submission
Strengthening the signal functions in Lejweleputsua Health District
Johannesburg, South Africa
The purpose of this leadership project was to strengthen World Health Organization (WHO) signal functions in all seven-delivery sites in the district to improve responsiveness to routine and emergency care.
Apart from being a quality improvement project this project was also a leadership development initiative in the STTI Maternal Child Health Nurse Leadership Academy. Lejweleputswa is one of the five districts in South Africa that under-performed during 2011-2013 period with regard to perinatal outcomes. Baseline statics on current levels of WHO signal functions coverage was retrieved from District Health Information System using a designed tool. Facilities were classified as Basic Emergency Obstetric Care / Comprehensive Emergency obstetric Care. Seven facilities were assessed, results analyzed and shared with stakeholders.
Awareness and the need for change were created. A team was formed consisting of District Specialist Team and Unit managers. Action plans were drawn and empowerment was done using outreach and benchmarking. Resources were shared and reallocated. Process matters addressed with regard to acquisition plans and budgets and the campaign on Acceleration in Reduction of Maternal and Child mortality in Africa was launched.
Initial statistics showed evidence of effectiveness when one facility reached 100% compliance on signal functions. The project influenced the district strategic decisions. The worst performing delivery site was merged with regional hospital and it also resulted in the birth of reproductive health clinic and a successful CARMMA event. The Project was presented in the Free State Millennium Development Goal (MDG) count down summit and the signal functions are now part of the MEC injunctions.
Compliance on signal functions should be measured against the maternal and neonatal indicators. Results associated with the change would be measurable in the next triennium. Facility accreditation will be done based on signal functions. The mentee developed her leadership competencies throughout this project and can now with confidence function as a leader in practice.
Description
This presentation is the summation of a project undertaken as part of the Honor Society of Nursing, Sigma Theta Tau International, Maternal-Child Health Nurse Leadership Academy (2013-2015 cohort).