The 'Severe Hypertensive Illness in Pregnancy' (SHIP) audit: promoting quality care using a high risk monitoring chart and eclampsia treatment pack
Baldwin, K.Joanne.; Leighton, N.A.; Kilby, M.D.; Wyldes, M.; Churchill, D.; Jones, P.W.; Johanson, R.B.
Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology the Journal of the Institute of Obstetrics and Gynaecology 22(4): 346-352
2002
ISSN/ISBN: 0144-3615 PMID: 12521451 DOI: 10.1080/01443610220141236Document Number: 260963
We set out to measure the standards of care in a regional cohort of women with severe hypertensive illness of pregnancy and to subsequently improve the quality of care using a series of interventions. This was a multi centre cyclical criterion audit involving 21 maternity units in the West Midlands Region. Prospective data collection involved named co-ordinators in each unit using customised proformas. Intervention comprised feedback of baseline results to each hospital, a monitoring chart and eclampsia treatment pack. The first audit period (n = 183) was for a 4-month period between 1/9/96 and 31/12/96 and the second audit period (n = 111) was during the same 4-month period 1 year later. Although compliance with the audit standards set increased in all but one standard, there is clearly a need to make further improvements in the quality of care administered.