Intrapartum care quality indicators: a systematic approach for achieving consensus
30 August 2018
Title
Intrapartum care quality indicators: a systematic approach for achieving consensusAuthors
Thabani Sibanda, Robert Fox, Timothy J. Draycott, Tahir Mahmood, David Richmond, Rebecca A. SimmsPublished journal
European Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology and Reproductive BiologyAbstract
Objective:
To identify published maternity intrapartum quality indicators and rationalise them to a core set.
Study design:
Prospective qualitative consensus group exercise. A literature search identified sets of intrapartum quality indicators in the English language. These were rationalised to a shortlist using criteria adapted from ‘The Good Clinical Indicator Guide’. An expert panel from key UK professions and organisations utilised a modified Delphi process to devise a final agreed set of intrapartum quality indicators that are specific, measurable, modifiable and relevant to clinical practice. Each indicator was rated in two rounds of web-based surveys, followed by a final face-to-face meeting of the panel.
Results:
290 clinical indicators were identified within 96 clinical categories with up to 18 different definitions. After rationalisation, 10 core and 24 additional quality indicators entered the Delphi process. A final panel of 12 indicators was defined.
Conclusions:
By using a simple Delphi process we have defined a set of broad clinical quality indicators that provide a comprehensive coverage of labour and delivery outcomes. We believe that this pragmatic portfolio will be useful for many wishing to develop performance monitoring and maternity dashboard systems.
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