Abstract
Introduction and Background: Infection is one of the leading causes of neonatal deaths in Eswatini. Undefined neonatal infection accounted for 38.2% of neonatal admissions at a regional referral hospital in 2017. Upon investigation, a host of microorganisms were isolated. In response, a quality improvement project was initiated to reduce neonatal infections from April 2018 to June 2019 with the main objective to reduce neonatal infections by 75% by June 2019.
Purpose: The project's aim was to design and implement sustainable infection prevention and control mechanisms in the neonatal unit to reduce neonatal deaths.
Methods: Applying the Kouzes and Posner leadership model, an interprofessional team was formed to design and implement sustainable infection prevention and control strategies for the unit. The team developed and implemented standard operating procedures for infection prevention and control, which included decontamination, personal preventive equipment, traffic control, etc. The team met monthly to discuss progress, achievements and challenges.
Results: Before the project, from the total of 2581 live births, 9.8% (n=253) were admitted into the neonatal unit, resulting in 7.91% (n=20) neonatal deaths in 12 months. From the total admissions, 32.02% (n=81) were admitted for undefined neonatal infections. During the project, from 2185 live births, 7.73% (n=169) were admitted and 5.92% (n=10) resulted in deaths. About 9.47% (n=16) were due to undefined neonatal infection. Comparing the baseline data from April 2017 to March 2018 with the data from April 2018 to December 2018, a reduction of 50% in neonatal infections is demonstrated. Final results will include the data until the end of June 2019, which is not yet available.
Conclusion: Commitment and collaboration coupled with management support towards achieving a shared vision has demonstrated to be fruitful in achieving great and sustainable results in maternal and child health.
Implication: The project was adapted from the national infection prevention and control programme by an interprofessional team from the hospital. For it to be sustainable, implies policy changes, education of staff, and processes for monitoring and evaluation.
Sigma Membership
Non-member
Lead Author Affiliation
Piggs Peak Government Hospital, Piggs Peak, Eswatini
Type
Poster
Format Type
Text-based Document
Study Design/Type
Quality Improvement
Research Approach
Translational Research/Evidence-based Practice
Keywords:
Maternal-Child Health, Infection Prevention and Control, Leadership Development, Neonatal Mortality
Recommended Citation
Ginindza, Siphiwe; Dlamini, Colile Pertunia; and Tagutanazvo, Oslinah Buru, "Reducing neonatal infections in a regional referral hospital in Eswatini: A quality improvement project" (2019). Maternal-Child Health Nurse Leadership - Africa. 15.
https://www.sigmarepository.org/mchnla/2019/posters/15
Conference Name
Inter-professional Education and Collaborative Practice for Africa Conference
Conference Host
Tau Lambda at-Large Chapter of Sigma Theta Tau International||WHO Regional Office for Africa||Africa Interprofessional Education Network (AfrIPEN)||WHO-FIC Collaborating Centre for the African region||Amref International University
Conference Location
Nairobi, Kenya
Conference Year
2019
Rights Holder
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Review Type
Faculty/Mentor Approved: Sigma Academy Participant Poster
Acquisition
Proxy-submission
Reducing neonatal infections in a regional referral hospital in Eswatini: A quality improvement project
Nairobi, Kenya
Introduction and Background: Infection is one of the leading causes of neonatal deaths in Eswatini. Undefined neonatal infection accounted for 38.2% of neonatal admissions at a regional referral hospital in 2017. Upon investigation, a host of microorganisms were isolated. In response, a quality improvement project was initiated to reduce neonatal infections from April 2018 to June 2019 with the main objective to reduce neonatal infections by 75% by June 2019.
Purpose: The project's aim was to design and implement sustainable infection prevention and control mechanisms in the neonatal unit to reduce neonatal deaths.
Methods: Applying the Kouzes and Posner leadership model, an interprofessional team was formed to design and implement sustainable infection prevention and control strategies for the unit. The team developed and implemented standard operating procedures for infection prevention and control, which included decontamination, personal preventive equipment, traffic control, etc. The team met monthly to discuss progress, achievements and challenges.
Results: Before the project, from the total of 2581 live births, 9.8% (n=253) were admitted into the neonatal unit, resulting in 7.91% (n=20) neonatal deaths in 12 months. From the total admissions, 32.02% (n=81) were admitted for undefined neonatal infections. During the project, from 2185 live births, 7.73% (n=169) were admitted and 5.92% (n=10) resulted in deaths. About 9.47% (n=16) were due to undefined neonatal infection. Comparing the baseline data from April 2017 to March 2018 with the data from April 2018 to December 2018, a reduction of 50% in neonatal infections is demonstrated. Final results will include the data until the end of June 2019, which is not yet available.
Conclusion: Commitment and collaboration coupled with management support towards achieving a shared vision has demonstrated to be fruitful in achieving great and sustainable results in maternal and child health.
Implication: The project was adapted from the national infection prevention and control programme by an interprofessional team from the hospital. For it to be sustainable, implies policy changes, education of staff, and processes for monitoring and evaluation.