A quality improvement project to improve the accuracy in reporting hospital acquired infections in post cesarean section patients in a district hospital in Rwanda
Abstract
Purpose
Hospitals are responsible for protecting the well-being of their patients and staff. To do so, accurate information is needed for the hospital to make appropriate decisions and allocate resources efficiently. This study aims to describe the implementation process of a surveillance system to reduce hospital-acquired infection (HAI) reporting errors in the maternity unit of a district hospital in Rwanda.
Design/methodology/approach
The team adapted an evidence-based tool to identify and report HAI, provided training to staff and distributed reporting responsibilities equally between the maternity staff to improve accuracy in HAI reporting.
Findings
The intervention successfully reduced the reporting discrepancy of HAI from 6.5 to 1.9 per cent: p < 0.05.
Practical implications
This case study described the implementation process of a surveillance system using strategic problem solving to reduce HAI reporting errors. The results can inform hospitals in similar settings of the steps to follow to implement a cost-neutral HAI surveillance system to reduce reporting errors. The accurate data will enable the hospital to take corrective measures to address HAI in the future.
Originality/value
The results will inform hospitals in similar settings of steps to follow to implement a cost-neutral HAI surveillance system using the SPS approach to reduce reporting errors.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
The authors would like to thank the Ministry of Health and Gihundwe hospital for their support. The authors particularly thank the staff who have participated in this project for their effort and contribution.
Citation
Nyiratuza, A., Wong, R., Adomako, E., Habagusenga, J.D., Nadew, K., Hitayezu, F., Nirere, F., Murekezi, E. and Nzayirambaho, M. (2016), "A quality improvement project to improve the accuracy in reporting hospital acquired infections in post cesarean section patients in a district hospital in Rwanda", On the Horizon, Vol. 24 No. 4, pp. 319-326. https://doi.org/10.1108/OTH-07-2016-0035
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2016, Emerald Group Publishing Limited