Avoidable Factors in Perinatal Mortality Identified by Clinical Audit at Tikur Anbessa Hospital
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Date
2012
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
Perinatal Mortality (PNM) is high in developing countries when compared to high income countries. The major causes of PNM are infection, birth asphyxia and complications related to prematurity. The current perinatal mortality rate in Ethiopia is 37 per 1000 births. Clinical audit has emerged as a powerful methodology for determining cause of mortality and identifying potential avoidable factors that contributed to the death. Systematically analyzing deaths in this way is important in order to improve clinical management and introduce new measures to reduce PNM in the future. This study is a prospective investigation of stillbirths and early neonatal deaths that was conducted for a six month period (from June 1st to November 30th 2012) among inborns at Tikur Anbessa Hospital. The audit was conducted by a multi-disciplinary team comprised of obstetricians, midwives, pediatricians and neonatal nurses. The audit process was involved medical record review; interview of relevant health staff; and interview of families (after informed consent). The cause of death and potential avoidable factors was assessed for each case. The findings was collected and presented in a publishable-quality manuscript. Feedback was given to clinical and administrative leaders at Tikur Ambessa Hospital to inform new measures to be implemented to decrease PNM.
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Perinatal Mortality