Displaying publications 21 - 40 of 66 in total

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  1. Global quality control perspective for the physical and technical aspects of screen-film mammography--image quality and radiation dose
    Ng KH, Jamal N, DeWerd L
    Radiat Prot Dosimetry, 2006;121(4):445-51.
    PMID: 16709704
    The systematic monitoring of image quality and radiation dose is an ultimate solution to ensuring the continuously high quality of mammography examination. At present several protocols exist around the world, and different test objects are used for quality control (QC) of the physical and technical aspects of screen-film mammography. This situation may lead to differences in radiation image quality and dose reported. This article reviews the global QC perspective for the physical and technical aspects of screen-film mammography with regard to image quality and radiation dose. It points out issues that must be resolved in terms of radiation dose and that also affect the comparison.
    Matched MeSH terms: Quality Assurance, Health Care/standards*
  2. Comparison of radiology residency programs in ten countries
    Willatt JM, Mason AC
    Eur Radiol, 2006 Feb;16(2):437-44.
    PMID: 15702337
    The purpose of our study was to compare various aspects of radiology training schemes in ten countries. A questionnaire was sent to senior residents in the UK, USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Italy, Egypt, India, Malaysia and Greece. The questions concerned length of training, required pre-training experience, the organization of the training scheme, teaching, resources, stages at which residents can independently perform and report examinations, fellowships, and progression to jobs. A wide variety of training, ranging from highly scheduled programs with detailed aims and objectives, to self-learning occurs across the world. Examinations and assessments are also variable. There are lessons to be learned from varying practices; more exchanges of ideas should be encouraged. In view of the "internationalization" of radiology services and the variation in training styles an international qualification for quality assurance purposes may be desirable.
    Matched MeSH terms: Quality Assurance, Health Care/standards
  3. Fulltext An audit of intraoperative frozen section in Johor
    Khoo JJ
    Med J Malaysia, 2004 Mar;59(1):50-5.
    PMID: 15535336 MyJurnal
    A 4-year-review was carried out on intraoperative frozen section consultations in Sultanah Aminah Hospital, Johor Bahru. Two hundred and fifteen specimens were received from 79 patients in the period between January 1999 and December 2002. An average of 2.72 specimens per patient was received. The overall diagnostic accuracy was high, 97.56%. The diagnoses were deferred in 4.65% of the specimens. False positive diagnoses were made in 3 specimens (1.46%) and false negative diagnoses in 2 specimens (0.98%). This gave an error rate of 2.44%. The main cause of error was incorrect interpretation of the pathologic findings. In the present study, frozen sections showed good sensitivity (97.98%) and specificity (97.16%). Despite its limitations, frozen section is still generally considered to be an accurate mode of intraoperative consultation to assist the surgeon in deciding the best therapeutic approach for his patient at the operating table. The use of frozen section with proper indications was cost-effective as it helped lower the number of reoperations. An audit of intraoperative frozen section from time to time serves as part of an ongoing quality assurance program and should be recommended where the service is available.
    Matched MeSH terms: Quality Assurance, Health Care*
  4. Fulltext Optimizing Quality of Care and Patient Safety in Malaysia: The Current Global Initiatives, Gaps and Suggested Solutions
    Jarrar M, Abdul Rahman H, Don MS
    Glob J Health Sci, 2016;8(6):44132.
    PMID: 26755459 DOI: 10.5539/gjhs.v8n6p75
    Demand for health care service has significantly increased, while the quality of healthcare and patient safety has become national and international priorities. This paper aims to identify the gaps and the current initiatives for optimizing the quality of care and patient safety in Malaysia.
    Matched MeSH terms: Quality Assurance, Health Care/standards*
  5. Fulltext POSSUM--a model for surgical outcome audit in quality care
    Ng KJ, Yii MK
    Med J Malaysia, 2003 Oct;58(4):516-21.
    PMID: 15190626
    Comparative surgical audit to monitor quality of care should be performed with a risk-adjusted scoring system rather than using crude morbidity and mortality rates. A validated and widely applied risk adjusted scoring system, P-POSSUM (Portsmouth-Physiological and Operative Severity Score for the enUmeration of Mortality) methodology, was applied to a prospective series of predominantly general surgical patients at the Sarawak General Hospital, Kuching over a six months period. The patients were grouped into four risk groups. The observed mortality rates were not significantly different from predicted rates, showing that the quality of surgical care was at par with typical western series. The simplicity and advantages of this scoring system over other auditing tools are discussed. The P-POSSUM methodology could form the basis of local comparative surgical audit for assessment and maintenance of quality care.
    Matched MeSH terms: Quality Assurance, Health Care*
  6. Cross-calibration, Least Significant Change and Quality Assurance in Multiple Dual-Energy X-ray Absorptiometry Scanner Environments: 2019 ISCD Official Position
    Jankowski LG, Warner S, Gaither K, Lenchik L, Fan B, Lu Y, et al.
    J Clin Densitom, 2019 09 07;22(4):472-483.
    PMID: 31558404 DOI: 10.1016/j.jocd.2019.09.001
    In preparation for the International Society for Clinical Densitometry Position Development Conference (PDC) 2019 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, a cross-calibration and precision task force was assembled and tasked to review the literature, summarize the findings, and generate positions to answer 4 related questions provided by the PDC Steering Committee, which expand upon the current ISCD official positions on these subjects. (1) How should a provider with multiple dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) scanners of the same make and model calculate least significant change (LSC)? (2) How should a provider with multiple DXA systems with the same manufacturer but different models calculate LSC? (3) How should a provider with multiple DXA systems from different manufacturers and models calculate LSC? (4) Are there specific phantom procedures that one can use to provide trustworthy in vitro cross calibration for same models, different models, and different makes? Based on task force deliberations and the resulting systematic literature reviews, 3 new positions were developed to address these more complex scenarios not addressed by current official positions on single scanner cross calibration and LSC. These new positions provide appropriate guidance to large multiple DXA scanner providers wishing to offer patients flexibility and convenience, and clearly define good clinical practice requirements to that end.
    Matched MeSH terms: Quality Assurance, Health Care*
  7. Reduction of central-line-associated bloodstream infection (CLABSI) in resource limited, nonintensive care unit (ICU) settings
    Poh KW, Ngan CH, Wong JY, Ng TK, Mohd Noor N
    Int J Health Care Qual Assur, 2020 Feb 25;ahead-of-print(ahead-of-print).
    PMID: 32108452 DOI: 10.1108/IJHCQA-11-2019-0195
    PURPOSE: There was limited study available on successful intervention for central-line-associated bloodstream infection (CLABSI) done at nonintensive care unit (ICU) and resources-limited setting. The objective of this study was to design, implement and evaluate a strategy to reduce CLABSI rate in non-ICU settings at general medical wards of Hospital Tuanku Ja'afar Seremban.

    DESIGN/METHODOLOGY/APPROACH: Preinterventional study was conducted in one-month period of January 2019, followed by intervention period from February to March 2019. Postintervention study was conducted from April to July 2019. The CLABSI rates were compared between pre and postintervention periods. A multifaceted intervention bundle was implemented, which comprised (1) educational program for healthcare workers, (2) weekly audit and feedback and (3) implementation of central line bundle of care.

    FINDINGS: There was a significant overall reduction of CLABSI rate between preintervention and postintervention period [incidence rate ratio (IRR) of 0.06 (95 percent CI, 0.01-0.33; P = 0.001)].

    PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS: CLABSI rates were reduced by a multifaceted intervention bundle, even in non-ICU and resource-limited setting. This includes a preinterventional study to identify the risk factors followed by a local adaption of the recommended care bundles. This study recommends resources-limited hospitals to design a strategy that is suitable for their own local setting to reduce CLABSI.

    ORIGINALITY/VALUE: This study demonstrated the feasibility of a multifaceted intervention bundle that was locally adapted with an evidence-based approach to reduce CLABSI rate in non-ICU and resource-limited setting.

    Matched MeSH terms: Quality Assurance, Health Care*
  8. Fulltext Critical incident monitoring in anaesthesia (1)
    Choy YC
    Med J Malaysia, 2006 Dec;61(5):577-85.
    PMID: 17623959
    Critical incident monitoring in anaesthesia is an important tool for quality improvement and maintenance of high safety standards in anaesthetic services. It is now widely accepted as a useful quality improvement technique for reducing morbidity and mortality in anaesthesia and has become part of the many quality assurance programmes of many general hospitals under the Ministry of Health. Despite wide-spread reservations about its value, critical incident monitoring is a classical qualitative research technique which is particularly useful where problems are complex, contextual and influenced by the interaction of physical, psychological and social factors. Thus, it is well suited to be used in probing the complex factors behind human error and system failure. Human error has significant contributions to morbidities and mortalities in anaesthesia. Understanding the relationships between, errors, incidents and accidents is important for prevention and risk management to reduce harm to patients. Cardiac arrests in the operating theatre (OT) and prolonged stay in recovery, constituted the bulk of reported incidents. Cardiac arrests in OT resulted in significant mortality and involved mostly de-compensated patients and those with unstable cardiovascular functions, presenting for emergency operations. Prolonged-stay in the recovery extended period of observation for ill patients. Prolonged stay in recovery was justifiable in some cases, as these patients needed a longer period of post-operative observation until they were stable enough to return to the ward. The advantages of the relatively low cost, and the ability to provide a comprehensive body of detailed qualitative information, which can be used to develop strategies to prevent and manage existing problems and to plan further initiatives for patient safety makes critical incident monitoring a valuable tool in ensuring patient safety. The contribution of critical incident reporting to the issue of patient safety is far from clear and very difficult to study. Efforts to do so have tended to rely on incident reporting, the only practical approach when funding is limited. The heterogeneity of critically ill patients as a group means that huge study populations would be required if other research techniques were to be used. In the era of evidence-based medicine, anaesthetists are looking for alternative evidence-based solutions to problems that we have accepted traditionally when we cannot quantify for good practical reasons. In the quest for patient safety, investment should be made in reliable audit, detection and reporting systems. The growing recognition that human error usually result from a failure of a system rather than an individual should be fostered to allow more lessons to be learnt, an approach that has been successful in other, safety-critical industries. New technology has a great deal to offer and investment is warranted in novel fail-safe drug administration systems. Last but not the least the importance of simple and sensible changes and better education should be remembered.
    Matched MeSH terms: Quality Assurance, Health Care/methods*
  9. Fulltext A quality assurance study on the administration of medication by nurses in a neonatal intensive care unit
    Raja Lope RJ, Boo NY, Rohana J, Cheah FC
    Singapore Med J, 2009 Jan;50(1):68-72.
    PMID: 19224087
    This study aimed to determine the rates of non-adherence to standard steps of medication administration and medication administration errors committed by registered nurses in a neonatal intensive care unit before and after intervention.
    Matched MeSH terms: Quality Assurance, Health Care*
  10. A thermoluminescent dosimetry postal dose inter-comparison of radiation therapy centres in Malaysia
    Rassiah P, Ng KH, DeWerd LA, Kunugi K
    Australas Phys Eng Sci Med, 2004 Mar;27(1):25-9.
    PMID: 15156705
    A thermoluminescent dosimetry (TLD) postal dose inter-comparison was carried out amongst radiotherapy centres in Malaysia. The aim of this TLD inter-comparison was to compare the uniformity involved in the measurement of absorbed dose among the participating centres. A set of 5 TLD chips placed within acrylic trays were mailed to all participating centres for irradiation to an absorbed dose to water of 2 Gy. Measurements were made for 6 MV and 60Co photon beams. Results show an agreement of +/- 5% for all but three radiotherapy centres. The ratios of the TLD readings to that of the reference centre are comparable with other national/regional dose inter-comparisons. The importance of a proper ongoing quality assurance program is essential in maintaining the consistency and uniformity of doses delivered.
    Matched MeSH terms: Quality Assurance, Health Care/methods*; Quality Assurance, Health Care/standards*
  11. "Edge-on" MOSkin detector for stereotactic beam measurement and verification
    Jong WL, Ung NM, Vannyat A, Jamalludin Z, Rosenfeld A, Wong JH
    Phys Med, 2017 Jan;33:127-135.
    PMID: 28089106 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmp.2016.12.020
    Dosimetry in small radiation field is challenging and complicated because of dose volume averaging and beam perturbations in a detector. We evaluated the suitability of the "Edge-on" MOSkin (MOSFET) detector in small radiation field measurement. We also tested the feasibility for dosimetric verification in stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) and stereotactic radiotherapy (SRT). "Edge-on" MOSkin detector was calibrated and the reproducibility and linearity were determined. Lateral dose profiles and output factors were measured using the "Edge-on" MOSkin detector, ionization chamber, SRS diode and EBT2 film. Dosimetric verification was carried out on two SRS and five SRT plans. In dose profile measurements, the "Edge-on" MOSkin measurements concurred with EBT2 film measurements. It showed full width at half maximum of the dose profile with average difference of 0.11mm and penumbral width with difference of ±0.2mm for all SRS cones as compared to EBT2 film measurement. For output factor measurements, a 1.1% difference was observed between the "Edge-on" MOSkin detector and EBT2 film for 4mm SRS cone. The "Edge-on" MOSkin detector provided reproducible measurements for dose verification in real-time. The measured doses concurred with the calculated dose for SRS (within 1%) and SRT (within 3%). A set of output correction factors for the "Edge-on" MOSkin detector for small radiation fields were derived from EBT2 film measurement and presented. This study showed that the "Edge-on" MOSkin detector is a suitable tool for dose verification in small radiation field.
    Matched MeSH terms: Quality Assurance, Health Care
  12. Exploration of the impact of a voice activated decision support system (VADSS) with video on resuscitation performance by lay rescuers during simulated cardiopulmonary arrest
    Hunt EA, Heine M, Shilkofski NS, Bradshaw JH, Nelson-McMillan K, Duval-Arnould J, et al.
    Emerg Med J, 2015 Mar;32(3):189-94.
    PMID: 24243484 DOI: 10.1136/emermed-2013-202867
    AIM: To assess whether access to a voice activated decision support system (VADSS) containing video clips demonstrating resuscitation manoeuvres was associated with increased compliance with American Heart Association Basic Life Support (AHA BLS) guidelines.
    METHODS: This was a prospective, randomised controlled trial. Subjects with no recent clinical experience were randomised to the VADSS or control group and participated in a 5-min simulated out-of-hospital cardiopulmonary arrest with another 'bystander'. Data on performance for predefined outcome measures based on the AHA BLS guidelines were abstracted from videos and the simulator log.
    RESULTS: 31 subjects were enrolled (VADSS 16 vs control 15), with no significant differences in baseline characteristics. Study subjects in the VADSS were more likely to direct the bystander to: (1) perform compressions to ventilations at the correct ratio of 30:2 (VADSS 15/16 (94%) vs control 4/15 (27%), p=<0.001) and (2) insist the bystander switch compressor versus ventilator roles after 2 min (VADSS 12/16 (75%) vs control 2/15 (13%), p=0.001). The VADSS group took longer to initiate chest compressions than the control group: VADSS 159.5 (±53) s versus control 78.2 (±20) s, p<0.001. Mean no-flow fractions were very high in both groups: VADSS 72.2% (±0.1) versus control 75.4 (±8.0), p=0.35.
    CONCLUSIONS: The use of an audio and video assisted decision support system during a simulated out-of-hospital cardiopulmonary arrest prompted lay rescuers to follow cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) guidelines but was also associated with an unacceptable delay to starting chest compressions. Future studies should explore: (1) if video is synergistic to audio prompts, (2) how mobile technologies may be leveraged to spread CPR decision support and (3) usability testing to avoid unintended consequences.
    KEYWORDS: cardiac arrest; research, operational; resuscitation; resuscitation, effectiveness; resuscitation, research
    Matched MeSH terms: Quality Assurance, Health Care*
  13. Improving diabetes care in a public hospital medical clinic: report of a completed audit cycle
    Tan F, Liew SF, Chan G, Toh V, Wong SY
    J Eval Clin Pract, 2011 Feb;17(1):40-4.
    PMID: 20807297 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2753.2010.01367.x
    RATIONALE, AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the impact of clinical audit on diabetes care provided to type 2 diabetic patients attending our hospital general medical clinics.
    METHODS: Performances on diabetes-related process measures and intermediate outcome measures were evaluated through structured review of outpatient medical records. The results were fed back to the doctors and measures were implemented to improve care. The performance indicators were re-evaluated 2 years later to complete the audit cycle.
    RESULTS: Annual testing rates improved for HbA1c (68.4% vs. 87.4%; P < 0.001) and lipid profile (91.8% vs. 97%; P = 0.027). Enquiry on smoking improved from 45.9% to 82.3% (P < 0.001), eye screening rates from 68.9% to 78.8% (P = 0.020) and foot examinations from 22.4% to 64.1% (P < 0.001). Prescription rates for insulin increased from 17.3% to 31.8% (P = 0.001) and statin from 83.2% to 94.4% (P < 0.001). The use of aspirin (80.6% vs. 83.8%; P =0.402) and angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor/angiotensin receptor blocker (92.3% vs. 88.9%; P = 0.239) remained high in both cycles. More patients achieved targets for HbA1c < 7% (38% vs. 26%; P = 0.006), blood pressure < 130/80 mmHg (43% vs. 32%; P = 0.071) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol < 2.6 mmol/L (71% vs. 52%; P <0.001).
    CONCLUSION: Clinical audit is a useful tool in improving diabetes care.
    Study site: Outpatient clinic, Sarawak General Hospital, Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia
    Matched MeSH terms: Quality Assurance, Health Care/methods*
  14. The characteristics of Fuji IP Cassette Type PII and application for radiation oncology quality assurance tests and portal imaging
    Soh HS, Ung NM, Ng KH
    Australas Phys Eng Sci Med, 2008 Jun;31(2):146-50.
    PMID: 18697706
    The advancement of digital imaging has prompted more medical institutions to go filmless. The computed radiography (CR) system is becoming an important tool not only in diagnostic imaging, but also in radiation oncology. A new CR system that was specially designed for the use in radiation oncology, Fuji IP cassette type PII has been introduced to the market in the middle of year 2006. This project aimed to study some basic physical characteristics of this new type of cassette and explore its application for performing quality assurance (QA) tests and portal imaging in radiotherapy. All the images were read by FCR 5000 Plus reader. The image was found to reach its saturation value of 1023 (due to the image was stored in 10 bits data) by depending on the sensitivity value being adjusted. The uniformity test gave the result of 0.12%. The cassette was used to perform the QA tests which were previously performed using film. All the results met the specification as stated in AAPM Task Group 40. The comparison for the portal images of PortalVision contrast-detail phantom showed that the spatial resolution of the images obtained by CR system (Fujifilm Co., Ltd., Tokyo, Japan) were better than the EPID (Varian Medical Systems, Inc., Palo Alto, USA) and film system (Eastman Kodak Co., New York, USA). The IP cassette type PII was found to be suitable as an alternative QA test tool and portal imaging in radiotherapy.
    Matched MeSH terms: Quality Assurance, Health Care*
  15. Fulltext Information technology for patient safety
    Huckvale C, Car J, Akiyama M, Jaafar S, Khoja T, Bin Khalid A, et al.
    Qual Saf Health Care, 2010 Aug;19 Suppl 2:i25-33.
    PMID: 20693213 DOI: 10.1136/qshc.2009.038497
    BACKGROUND: Research on patient care has identified substantial variations in the quality and safety of healthcare and the considerable risks of iatrogenic harm as significant issues. These failings contribute to the high rates of potentially avoidable morbidity and mortality and to the rising levels of healthcare expenditure seen in many health systems. There have been substantial developments in information technology in recent decades and there is now real potential to apply these technological developments to improve the provision of healthcare universally. Of particular international interest is the use of eHealth applications. There is, however, a large gap between the theoretical and empirically demonstrated benefits of eHealth applications. While these applications typically have the technical capability to help professionals in the delivery of healthcare, inadequate attention to the socio-technical dimensions of their use can result in new avoidable risks to patients.

    RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: Given the current lack of evidence on quality and safety improvements and on the cost-benefits associated with the introduction of eHealth applications, there should be a focus on implementing more mature technologies; it is also important that eHealth applications should be evaluated against a comprehensive and rigorous set of measures, ideally at all stages of their application life cycle.

    Matched MeSH terms: Quality Assurance, Health Care*
  16. Fulltext Analysis of dose comparison techniques for patient-specific quality assurance in radiation therapy
    Yu L, Tang TLS, Cassim N, Livingstone A, Cassidy D, Kairn T, et al.
    J Appl Clin Med Phys, 2019 Nov;20(11):189-198.
    PMID: 31613053 DOI: 10.1002/acm2.12726
    PURPOSE: Gamma evaluation is the most commonly used technique for comparison of dose distributions for patient-specific pretreatment quality assurance in radiation therapy. Alternative dose comparison techniques have been developed but not widely implemented. This study aimed to compare and evaluate the performance of several previously published alternatives to the gamma evaluation technique, by systematically evaluating a large number of patient-specific quality assurance results.

    METHODS: The agreement indices (or pass rates) for global and local gamma evaluation, maximum allowed dose difference (MADD) and divide and conquer (D&C) techniques were calculated using a selection of acceptance criteria for 429 patient-specific pretreatment quality assurance measurements. Regression analysis was used to quantify the similarity of behavior of each technique, to determine whether possible variations in sensitivity might be present.

    RESULTS: The results demonstrated that the behavior of D&C gamma analysis and MADD box analysis differs from any other dose comparison techniques, whereas MADD gamma analysis exhibits similar performance to the standard global gamma analysis. Local gamma analysis had the least variation in behavior with criteria selection. Agreement indices calculated for 2%/2 mm and 2%/3 mm, and 3%/2 mm and 3%/3 mm were correlated for most comparison techniques.

    CONCLUSION: Radiation oncology treatment centers looking to compare between different dose comparison techniques, criteria or lower dose thresholds may apply the results of this study to estimate the expected change in calculated agreement indices and possible variation in sensitivity to delivery dose errors.

    Matched MeSH terms: Quality Assurance, Health Care/standards*
  17. Fulltext How can insulin initiation delivery in a dual-sector health system be optimised? A qualitative study on healthcare professionals' views
    Lee PY, Lee YK, Ng CJ
    BMC Public Health, 2012;12:313.
    PMID: 22545648 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2458-12-313
    BACKGROUND: The prevalence of type 2 diabetes is increasing at an alarming rate in developing countries. However, glycaemia control remains suboptimal and insulin use is low. One important barrier is the lack of an efficient and effective insulin initiation delivery approach. This study aimed to document the strategies used and proposed by healthcare professionals to improve insulin initiation in the Malaysian dual-sector (public-private) health system.
    METHODS: In depth interviews and focus group discussions were conducted in Klang Valley and Seremban, Malaysia in 2010-11. Healthcare professionals consisting of general practitioners (n = 11), medical officers (n = 8), diabetes educators (n = 3), government policy makers (n = 4), family medicine specialists (n = 10) and endocrinologists (n = 2) were interviewed. We used a topic guide to facilitate the interviews, which were audio recorded, transcribed verbatim and analysed using a thematic approach.
    RESULTS: Three main themes emerged from the interviews. Firstly, there was a lack of collaboration between the private and public sectors in diabetes care. The general practitioners in the private sector proposed an integrated system for them to refer patients to the public health services for insulin initiation programmes. There could be shared care between the two sectors and this would reduce the disproportionately heavy workload at the public sector. Secondly, besides the support from the government health authority, the healthcare professionals wanted greater involvement of non-government organisations, media and pharmaceutical industry in facilitating insulin initiation in both the public and private sectors. The support included: training of healthcare professionals; developing and disseminating patient education materials; service provision by diabetes education teams; organising programmes for patients' peer group sessions; increasing awareness and demystifying insulin via public campaigns; and subsidising glucose monitoring equipment. Finally, the healthcare professionals proposed the establishment of multidisciplinary teams as a strategy to increase the rate of insulin initiation. Having team members from different ethnic backgrounds would help to overcome language and cultural differences when communicating with patients.
    CONCLUSION: The challenges faced by a dual-sector health system in delivering insulin initiation may be addressed by greater collaborations between the private and public sectors and governmental and non-government organisations, and among different healthcare professionals.
    Study site: Healthcare professionals from three states (Wilayah Federal Territory, Negeri Sembilan and Selangor) and from both urban and semi-rural locations (including Klinik Kesihatan), Malaysia
    Matched MeSH terms: Quality Assurance, Health Care/standards*
  18. Fulltext Building capacity for evidence generation, synthesis and implementation to improve the care of mothers and babies in South East Asia: methods and design of the SEA-ORCHID Project using a logical framework approach
    McDonald S, Turner T, Chamberlain C, Lumbiganon P, Thinkhamrop J, Festin MR, et al.
    BMC Med Res Methodol, 2010;10:61.
    PMID: 20594325 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2288-10-61
    Rates of maternal and perinatal mortality remain high in developing countries despite the existence of effective interventions. Efforts to strengthen evidence-based approaches to improve health in these settings are partly hindered by restricted access to the best available evidence, limited training in evidence-based practice and concerns about the relevance of existing evidence. South East Asia--Optimising Reproductive and Child Health in Developing Countries (SEA-ORCHID) was a five-year project that aimed to determine whether a multifaceted intervention designed to strengthen the capacity for research synthesis, evidence-based care and knowledge implementation improved clinical practice and led to better health outcomes for mothers and babies. This paper describes the development and design of the SEA-ORCHID intervention plan using a logical framework approach.
    Matched MeSH terms: Quality Assurance, Health Care*
  19. Maternal mortality in developing countries: challenges in scaling-up priority interventions
    Prata N, Passano P, Sreenivas A, Gerdts CE
    Womens Health (Lond), 2010 Mar;6(2):311-27.
    PMID: 20187734 DOI: 10.2217/whe.10.8
    Although maternal mortality is a significant global health issue, achievements in mortality decline to date have been inadequate. A review of the interventions targeted at maternal mortality reduction demonstrates that most developing countries face tremendous challenges in the implementation of these interventions, including the availability of unreliable data and the shortage in human and financial resources, as well as limited political commitment. Examples from developing countries, such as Sri Lanka, Malaysia and Honduras, demonstrate that maternal mortality will decline when appropriate strategies are in place. Such achievable strategies need to include redoubled commitments on the part of local, national and global political bodies, concrete investments in high-yield and cost-effective interventions and the delegation of some clinical tasks from higher-level healthcare providers to mid- or lower-level healthcare providers, as well as improved health-management information systems.
    Matched MeSH terms: Quality Assurance, Health Care/organization & administration
  20. Fulltext Optimising reproductive and child health outcomes by building evidence-based research and practice in South East Asia (SEA-ORCHID): study protocol
    Henderson-Smart DJ, Lumbiganon P, Festin MR, Ho JJ, Mohammad H, McDonald SJ, et al.
    BMC Med Res Methodol, 2007;7:43.
    PMID: 17892586
    Disorders related to pregnancy and childbirth are a major health issue in South East Asia. They represent one of the biggest health risk differentials between the developed and developing world. Our broad research question is: Can the health of mothers and babies in Thailand, Indonesia, the Philippines and Malaysia be improved by increasing the local capacity for the synthesis of research, implementation of effective interventions, and identification of gaps in knowledge needing further research?
    Matched MeSH terms: Quality Assurance, Health Care*
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