Abstract

In Malawi severe preeclampsia and eclampsia rank among the leading causes of maternal mortality. Magnesium sulfate is a drug of choice for treatment. Proper monitoring of clients on the drug may promote safe motherhood. Observation has revealed inadequate monitoring of the drug and interpretation of observational findings. This necessitates capacity building of midwives on monitoring of clients receiving magnesium sulphate. The project was done in a newly established unit and ran from May 2014 to date.

Baseline information was sought to assess the knowledge and skill base of 8 midwives working in HDU on assessments of patients receiving magnesium sulfate through pre-test and observation. The midwives had a session on monitoring clients on Magnesium sulfate which was followed by a post test. A tool for monitoring magnesium sulfate categorizing the observations was developed and finalized with input from stakeholders. The midwives were oriented to the tool. Qualitative and quantitative approaches were used. The Kouzes Posner model of change was employed throughout the project.

Pre-test scores were between 60 to 80 % on knowledge. Only four midwives knew patella reflex assessment. After the session all midwives assessed patella reflex successfully. Knowledge scores were between 70 and 85%. Out of the 101 monitoring tools which were filled, 5 were not properly categorised. Midwives and a Doctor reported the tool being user friendly and easy to fill. Gaps exist in monitoring clients on magnesium sulphate.

Continuous supportive supervision and in service training are necessary for midwives. Leadership skills are vital if evidence based practices are to be applied. Lifelong learning among health practitioners can be enhanced through mentorship.

This project provided the mentee with the opportunity to practice and develop her leadership competencies.

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 (2014-2015 cohort).

Author Details

Naomi Novahiwa Sangaya, BSc, NM; Maria Chifuniro Chikalipo MSc, BScN/M; Ellen Chirwa, PhD

Sigma Membership

Non-member

Type

Presentation

Format Type

Text-based Document

Study Design/Type

Case Study/Series

Research Approach

Qualitative Research

Keywords:

Maternal Child Health, Magnesium Sulfate Monitoring, Quality Improvement, Eclampsia, Pre-Eclampsia

Conference Name

Tau Lambda Conference 2015

Conference Host

Tau Lambda at-Large Chapter of Sigma Theta Tau International

Conference Location

Johannesburg, South Africa

Conference Year

2015

Rights Holder

All rights reserved by the author(s) and/or publisher(s) listed in this item record unless relinquished in whole or part by a rights notation or a Creative Commons License present in this item record.

All permission requests should be directed accordingly and not to the Sigma Repository.

All submitting authors or publishers have affirmed that when using material in their work where they do not own copyright, they have obtained permission of the copyright holder prior to submission and the rights holder has been acknowledged as necessary.

Review Type

Faculty/Mentor Approved: Sigma Academy Participant Poster

Acquisition

Proxy-submission

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Monitoring of magnesium sulphate to improve quality: A case study at Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital Gogo Chatinkha maternity wing, high dependence unit, Blantyre, Malawi

Johannesburg, South Africa

In Malawi severe preeclampsia and eclampsia rank among the leading causes of maternal mortality. Magnesium sulfate is a drug of choice for treatment. Proper monitoring of clients on the drug may promote safe motherhood. Observation has revealed inadequate monitoring of the drug and interpretation of observational findings. This necessitates capacity building of midwives on monitoring of clients receiving magnesium sulphate. The project was done in a newly established unit and ran from May 2014 to date.

Baseline information was sought to assess the knowledge and skill base of 8 midwives working in HDU on assessments of patients receiving magnesium sulfate through pre-test and observation. The midwives had a session on monitoring clients on Magnesium sulfate which was followed by a post test. A tool for monitoring magnesium sulfate categorizing the observations was developed and finalized with input from stakeholders. The midwives were oriented to the tool. Qualitative and quantitative approaches were used. The Kouzes Posner model of change was employed throughout the project.

Pre-test scores were between 60 to 80 % on knowledge. Only four midwives knew patella reflex assessment. After the session all midwives assessed patella reflex successfully. Knowledge scores were between 70 and 85%. Out of the 101 monitoring tools which were filled, 5 were not properly categorised. Midwives and a Doctor reported the tool being user friendly and easy to fill. Gaps exist in monitoring clients on magnesium sulphate.

Continuous supportive supervision and in service training are necessary for midwives. Leadership skills are vital if evidence based practices are to be applied. Lifelong learning among health practitioners can be enhanced through mentorship.

This project provided the mentee with the opportunity to practice and develop her leadership competencies.