[strategies Directed To Professionals For Reducing Unnecessary Cesarean Sections In Brazil].

Brazil is among the countries with the highest cesarean section rates, especially in the supplementary health sector. However, some characteristics are similar in both the public and private sectors in terms of the wishes and expectations of pregnant women regarding their delivery. There is a preference for vaginal delivery among women of all social, economic, and cultural levels, a fact that shifts the focus of the negative influence of this variable from women to other subjects involved in delivery care. No isolated factor is able to justify the complexity of making a decision for cesarean section, but the physician and the type of hospital are the main associated factors. The several harmful effects of a non-judicious performance of cesarean section are scientifically recognized. It is important to raise the awareness of doctors and of other health professionals about the real consequences of this decision, the ethical deviations when conducts are chosen without exclusively focusing on the patient`s health, and the need for constant updating for the management of the various possible conditions of childbirth.33252-6

Applying the new concept of maternal near-miss in an intensive care unit

OBJECTIVES: The World Health Organization has recommended investigating near-misses as a benchmark practice for monitoring maternal healthcare and has standardized the criteria for diagnosis. We aimed to study maternal morbidity and mortality among women admitted to a general intensive care unit during pregnancy or in the postpartum period, using the new World Health Organization criteria. METHODS: In a cross-sectional study, 158 cases of severe maternal morbidity were classified according to their outcomes: death, maternal near-miss, and potentially life-threatening conditions. The health indicators for obstetrical care were calculated. A bivariate analysis was performed using the Chi-square test with Yate's correction or Fisher's exact test. A multiple regression analysis was used to calculate the crude and adjusted odds ratios, together with their respective 95% confidence intervals. RESULTS: Among the 158 admissions, 5 deaths, 43 cases of maternal near-miss, and 110 cases of potentially lifethreatening conditions occurred. The near-miss rate was 4.4 cases per 1,000 live births. The near-miss/death ratio was 8.6 near-misses for each maternal death, and the overall mortality index was 10.4%. Hypertensive syndromes were the main cause of admission (67.7% of the cases, 107/158); however, hemorrhage, mainly due to uterine atony and ectopic pregnancy complications, was the main cause of maternal near-misses and deaths (17/43 cases of near-miss and 2/5 deaths). CONCLUSIONS: Hypertension was the main cause of admission and of potentially life-threatening conditions; however, hemorrhage was the main cause of maternal near-misses and deaths at this institution, suggesting that delays may occur in implementing appropriate obstetrical care

Applying the maternal near miss approach for the evaluation of quality of obstetric care: a worked example from a multicenter surveillance study

To assess quality of care of women with severe maternal morbidity and to identify associated factors. This is a national multicenter cross-sectional study performing surveillance for severe maternal morbidity, using the World Health Organization criteria. The expected number of maternal deaths was calculated with the maternal severity index (MSI) based on the severity of complication, and the standardized mortality ratio (SMR) for each center was estimated. Analyses on the adequacy of care were performed. 17 hospitals were classified as providing adequate and 10 as nonadequate care. Besides almost twofold increase in maternal mortality ratio, the main factors associated with nonadequate performance were geographic difficulty in accessing health services (P < 0.001), delays related to quality of medical care (P = 0.012), absence of blood derivatives (P = 0.013), difficulties of communication between health services (P = 0.004), and any delay during the whole process (P = 0.039). This is an example of how evaluation of the performance of health services is possible, using a benchmarking tool specific to Obstetrics. In this study the MSI was a useful tool for identifying differences in maternal mortality ratios and factors associated with nonadequate performance of care.To assess quality of care of women with severe maternal morbidity and to identify associated factors. Method. This is a national multicenter cross-sectional study performing surveillance for severe maternal morbidity, using the World Health Organization c110CNPQ - CONSELHO NACIONAL DE DESENVOLVIMENTO CIENTÍFICO E TECNOLÓGICO402702/2008-

Applying the Maternal Near Miss Approach for the Evaluation of Quality of Obstetric Care: A Worked Example from a Multicenter Surveillance Study

Objective. To assess quality of care of women with severe maternal morbidity and to identify associated factors. Method. This is a national multicenter cross-sectional study performing surveillance for severe maternal morbidity, using the World Health Organization criteria. the expected number of maternal deaths was calculated with the maternal severity index (MSI) based on the severity of complication, and the standardized mortality ratio (SMR) for each center was estimated. Analyses on the adequacy of care were performed. Results. 17 hospitals were classified as providing adequate and 10 as nonadequate care. Besides almost twofold increase in maternal mortality ratio, the main factors associated with nonadequate performance were geographic difficulty in accessing health services (P < 0.001), delays related to quality of medical care (P = 0.012), absence of blood derivatives (P = 0.013), difficulties of communication between health services (P = 0.004), and any delay during the whole process (P = 0.039). Conclusions. This is an example of how evaluation of the performance of health services is possible, using a benchmarking tool specific to Obstetrics. in this study the MSI was a useful tool for identifying differences in maternal mortality ratios and factors associated with nonadequate performance of care.Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)Univ Campinas UNICAMP, Sch Med Sci, Dept Obstet & Gynaecol, BR-13083881 Campinas, SP, BrazilCtr Res Reprod Hlth Campinas Cemicamp, BR-13083888 Campinas, SP, BrazilUniv Fed Amazonas, Manaus, Amazonas, BrazilSch Med Sci, CISAM, Recife, PE, BrazilUniv Fed Ceara, Fortaleza, Ceara, BrazilUniv Fed Bahia, Salvador, BA, BrazilHosp Geral Cesar Cals, Fortaleza, Ceara, BrazilHosp Geral Fortaleza, Fortaleza, Ceara, BrazilMaternidade Odete Valadares, Belo Horizonte, MG, BrazilHosp Materno Infantil, Goiania, Go, BrazilInst Materno Infantil Pernambuco, Recife, PE, BrazilUniv Fed Pernambuco, Recife, PE, BrazilUniv Fed Campina Grande, Campina Grande, PB, BrazilUniv Fed Maranhao, Sao Luis, MA, BrazilUniv Fed Parana, BR-80060000 Curitiba, Parana, BrazilUniv Fed Paraiba, BR-58059900 Joao Pessoa, Paraiba, BrazilHosp Maternidade Fernando Magalhaes, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, BrazilUniv Fed Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, BrazilHosp Maternidade Celso Pierro, Campinas, SP, BrazilInst Fernandes Figueira Fiocruz, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, BrazilHosp Israelita Albert Einstein, São Paulo, BrazilUniv State São Paulo, Botucatu, SP, BrazilJundiai Sch Med, Jundiai, SP, BrazilUniv São Paulo, BR-14049 Ribeirao Preto, SP, BrazilSanta Casa Limeira, Limeira, SP, BrazilSanta Casa Sao Carlos, Sao Carlos, SP, BrazilMaternidade Leonor Mendes de Barros, São Paulo, BrazilUniversidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo, BrazilUniversidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo, BrazilCNPq: 402702/2008-5Web of Scienc

Brazilian network for surveillance of severe maternal morbidity : exploring methodological aspects of maternal near miss approach

Orientador: José Guilherme CecattiTese (doutorado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Faculdade de Ciências MédicasResumo: Introdução: A saúde materna é um dos focos das Metas de Desenvolvimento do Milênio das Nações Unidas para 2015. As mais recentes estimativas sugerem que o número de mulheres que morrem de complicações durante a gestação e parto caiu 47% de 1990 a 2010. Para alcançar a redução planejada de 75% até 2015, a taxa anual deveria cair em 5,5%. Porém, um pouco além da metade do que seria necessário foi conseguido. Para que as metas sejam atingidas, intervenções efetivas são identificadas como necessárias. Além de melhorias com investimentos estruturais locais, uma das bases para a organização de ações efetivas é a obtenção de dados fidedignos e o desenvolvimento de sistemas de informação em saúde. Até um passado recente, não havia padronização de conceitos para morbidade materna grave. Em 2009, condições ameaçadoras da vida foram definidas pela Organização Mundial da Saúde (OMS). Como resultado, critérios clínicos, laboratoriais e de manejo específicos orientam a identificação de casos de near miss. A criação de uma rede de vigilância no Brasil utilizando os novos critérios de near miss poderia trazer um panorama desta condição em um país de média renda e população heterogênea. Com tais informações, novas estratégias para melhoria da assistência à saúde materna e perinatal poderiam ser desenvolvidas, com potencial redução real de mortes. Objetivos: Avaliar a homogeneidade amostral dos casos incluídos na Rede, validar os critérios de near miss da OMS, desenvolver um modelo de predição de mortalidade baseado na gravidade dos casos e, a partir deste modelo, avaliar o desempenho dos centros da Rede na prestação de cuidados obstétricos. Métodos: A Rede Nacional de Vigilância de Morbidade Materna Grave foi um estudo de corte transversal multicêntrico implantado em 27 hospitais entre todas as regiões do país, com coleta prospectiva de dados pelo período de um ano, utilizando os novos critérios de near miss da OMS. A partir de 9555 casos incluídos no período, foram calculados os coeficientes de correlação intraclasse (ICC) e efeitos do desenho por cluster das variáveis do estudo. Também, testes de acurácia diagnóstica foram utilizados para validar dos critérios da OMS. Um modelo de regressão logística bivariada foi utilizado para avaliar a correlação entre os critérios de near miss e variáveis distais na ocorrência de morte e desenvolver uma ferramenta para predição de mortalidade, o Maternal Severity Index (MSI). A partir deste modelo, foi analisada a razão entre as mortes observadas e aquelas esperadas de acordo com a gravidade dos casos e avaliados os níveis de desempenhos dos centros na prestação de cuidado obstétrico. Conclusão: Os ICC para as variáveis de desfecho da Rede são considerados pequenos, o que indica adequada heterogeneidade amostral. Seus valores podem ser utilizados para o cálculo do tamanho amostral de estudos futuros na área. O uso dos critérios de near miss da OMS para identificação de casos de morbidade materna grave foi validado. O índice de gravidade materna (MSI) pode ser utilizado como ferramenta para predição de mortalidade e avaliação de desempenho e adequação de cuidado em instituições que prestem atendimento a mulheres com condições ameaçadoras a vidaAbstract: Introduction: Maternal health is one of the focuses of the United Nations' Millennium Development Goals for 2015. The most recent estimates suggest that the number of women who died from complications during pregnancy and childbirth fell 47% from 1990 to 2010. To achieve the planned reduction of 75% by 2015, the annual rate should fall by 5.5%. However, a little more than half of what is required has been obtained. To achieve the goals, effective interventions are identified as necessary. In addition to improvements in local structural investments, one of the bases for the organization of effective actions is obtaning reliable data and the development of health information systems. Until recently, there was no standardazed concept for severe maternal morbidity. In 2009, the World Health Organization (WHO) defined life-threatening conditions. As a result, specific clinical, laboratory and management criteria guide the identification of near miss cases. The development of a surveillance network in Brazil using the new criteria for maternal near miss could bring an overview of this condition in a middle-income country with heterogeneous population. With such information, new strategies to improve maternal and perinatal care could be developed, with potential real reduction of deaths. Objectives: To evaluate the homogeneity of the sample included in the network, to validate the WHO near miss criteria, to develop a predictive model of mortality based on severity of cases and, from this model, to evaluate the performance of the Network facilities in providing obstetric care. Methods: The Brazilian Network for Surveillance of Severe Maternal Morbidity was a multicenter cross-sectional study implemented in 27 hospitals from all regions of the country, with prospective data collection for a one year period, using the new WHO maternal near miss criteria. From 9555 cases included in the period, the intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC) and cluster design effects for the variables of the study were calculated. Also, diagnostic accuracy tests were used to validate the WHO criteria. A bivariate logistic regression model was used to evaluate the correlation between the near miss criteria and distal variables in the occurrence of death and to develop a tool for prediction of mortality, the Maternal Severity Index (MSI). From this model, the ratio between the number of observed and expected deaths was analyzed according to the severity of cases and the performance levels of the centers in providing obstetric care was assessed. Conclusion: The ICC for the outcome variables of the network are considered small, what indicates adequate sample heterogeneity. Their values can be used to calculate the sample size of further studies in the area. The use WHO maternal near miss criteria to identify cases of severe maternal morbidity has been validated. The maternal severity index (MSI) can be used as a tool for assessing the performance and appropriateness of care in facilities providing care for women with life threatening conditionsDoutoradoSaúde Materna e PerinatalDoutora em Ciências da Saúd

From planning to practice : building a National Network for Surveillance of Severe Maternal Morbity

Orientador: Jose Guilherme CecattiDissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Faculdade de Ciencias MedicasResumo: Introdução: A saúde materna é um dos focos das Metas de Desenvolvimento do Milênio das Nações Unidas para 2015. A manutenção dos altos índices de mortalidade decorre principalmente das dificuldades de acesso aos serviços de saúde e inadequação do manejo das complicações obstétricas em locais pouco desenvolvidos. Por outro lado, a ocorrência da morte materna em locais desenvolvidos é um evento relativamente raro em comparação com o número de casos mórbidos. Neste sentido, o estudo da morbidade materna ganhou relevância. Estudos mostraram que a falta de padronização de critérios definidores de morbidade materna grave, a dificuldade de identificação e relato dessas condições nos registros oficiais e pelas próprias mulheres e a condução de investigações retrospectivas, podem distorcer o número real de casos de morbidade. Sistemas de vigilância eletrônica podem trazer melhorias à investigação, por facilitar o relato e completude das informações e diminuir o tempo de coleta e análise das mesmas. Recentemente, foram divulgados pela Organização Mundial da Saúde o novo conceito de near miss materno e critérios de condições definidoras de gravidade. Com este avanço, o seguimento da vigilância e a elaboração de estratégias de redução do problema mundial da morte materna podem ter sua condução embasada em fonte teórica unificada, dando solidez à investigação e norteando o foco da atenção. Objetivos: Criar uma rede nacional de vigilância de morbidade materna grave no Brasil, com abrangência em todas as regiões geográficas do país, elaborar o planejamento teórico de caracterização da rede de vigilância e descrever os métodos e procedimentos adotados para sua implementação. Métodos: O projeto desenvolvido foi de um estudo transversal multicêntrico para implantação em unidades obstétricas de referência em diversas regiões geográficas do Brasil. Durante um período de doze meses, deve ser realizada a vigilância prospectiva e coleta de dados para a identificação dos casos de near miss materno e de condições potencialmente ameaçadoras da vida, segundo os novos critérios da OMS. A partir da elaboração teórica do projeto, foi realizada a seleção dos centros da rede, revisão dos critérios de morbidade materna grave e formulários de coleta de dados, seleção do sistema eletrônico para inclusão de casos, desenvolvimento das ferramentas específicas do software e hardware, desenvolvimento do material de pesquisa, iniciado processo de implementação e análise de processo. Conclusão: A formação teórica da Rede Nacional de Vigilância de Morbidade Materna Grave foi uma conseqüência da experiência adquirida em diversos estudos na área nos últimos anos. A estrutura teórica é parte de um conceito abrangente de cuidado à saúde materna e perinatal, e a sua implementação é a primeira etapa da execução desse planejamento. A arquitetura do sistema de informação da Rede poderá ser utilizada para novos estudos em saúde reprodutiva e perinatal.Abstract: Introduction: Maternal health is one of the United Nations Millenium Development Goals for 2015. The maintenance of high levels of mortality is due mostly to difficulties to access health care services and inadequacy on the management of obstetrical complications in least developed regions. Furthermore, the occurence of maternal death in developed regions is a relatively rare event compared to the number of morbid cases. Therefore, the study of maternal morbidity became more relevant. Studies showed that the lack of standardization of severe maternal morbidity criteria, difficulties in identifying and reporting these conditions in the official records and the women themselves and retrospective investigations, can distort the actual number of cases of morbidity. Electronic surveillance systems can bring improvements to research, facilitate reporting and completeness of the information and reduce the time of collection and examination. Recently the concept of maternal near miss and defining criteria of severity have been released by the World Health Organization. With this advance, tracking and surveillance strategies to reduce the global problem of maternal mortality may have their management based on a unified theoretical source, giving strength to the research and guiding the focus of attention. Objectives: To create a national surveillance network of severe maternal morbidity in Brazil covering all geographic regions of the country, to develop the theoretical planning of characterization of the network and to describe the methods and procedures adopted for its implementation. Methods: It was developed a cross sectional multicentric study in reference obstetric units in various geographical regions of Brazil. During a period of twelve months, it should be carried out prospective surveillance and data collection for the identification of cases of maternal near miss and potentially life-threatening conditions, according to the new WHO criteria. After the theoretical development of the project, the network centers were selected, the severe maternal morbidity criteria and data collection forms were reviewed, selection of the software for case inclusion, development of specific tools of the software and hardware, development of the research material, initiated the process of implementation and process analysis. Conclusion: The theoretical development of the Brazilian Network for Surveillance of Severe Maternal Morbidity was a result of experience learned in several studies in this area in recent years. The theoretical framework is part of a comprehensive concept of maternal and perinatal health care, and its implementation is the first step in executing this plan. The system architecture of the network information system may be used for further studies in reproductive and perinatal health.MestradoTocoginecologiaMestre em Tocoginecologi

Estratégias dirigidas aos profissionais para a redução das cesáreas desnecessárias no Brasil Strategies directed to professionals for reducing unnecessary cesarean sections in Brazil

O Brasil está entre os países com as mais elevadas taxas de cesárea, sobretudo na saúde suplementar. No entanto, tanto no setor público, como no privado, algumas características são semelhantes para os anseios e expectativas das gestantes em relação ao parto. Existe preferência para o parto vaginal entre as mulheres de todos os níveis social, econômico ou cultural, o que desloca o foco da influência negativa da mulher para os outros sujeitos envolvidos na assistência ao parto. Nenhum fator isoladamente é capaz de justificar a complexidade da decisão pelo parto por cesárea, porém o médico e o tipo de hospital são os maiores fatores associados. Os diversos efeitos prejudiciais da realização não criteriosa de parto cesárea são cientificamente comprovados. É fundamental a conscientização de médicos e demais profissionais sobre as consequências reais dessa decisão, os desvios éticos quando condutas são tomadas sem que o foco seja exclusivamente a saúde do paciente e a necessidade de capacitação e atualização constantes para o manejo das diversas situações possíveis para o nascimento.<br>Brazil is among the countries with the highest cesarean section rates, especially in the supplementary health sector. However, some characteristics are similar in both the public and private sectors in terms of the wishes and expectations of pregnant women regarding their delivery. There is a preference for vaginal delivery among women of all social, economic, and cultural levels, a fact that shifts the focus of the negative influence of this variable from women to other subjects involved in delivery care. No isolated factor is able to justify the complexity of making a decision for cesarean section, but the physician and the type of hospital are the main associated factors. The several harmful effects of a non-judicious performance of cesarean section are scientifically recognized. It is important to raise the awareness of doctors and of other health professionals about the real consequences of this decision, the ethical deviations when conducts are chosen without exclusively focusing on the patient`s health, and the need for constant updating for the management of the various possible conditions of childbirth

Maternal Near Miss And Death Among Women With Severe Hypertensive Disorders: A Brazilian Multicenter Surveillance Study.

Hypertensive disorders represent the major cause of maternal morbidity in middle income countries. The main objective of this study was to identify the prevalence and factors associated with severe maternal outcomes in women with severe hypertensive disorders. This was a cross-sectional, multicenter study, including 6706 women with severe hypertensive disorder from 27 maternity hospitals in Brazil. A prospective surveillance of severe maternal morbidity with data collected from medical charts and entered into OpenClinica®, an online system, over a one-year period (2009 to 2010). Women with severe preeclampsia, severe hypertension, eclampsia and HELLP syndrome were included in the study. They were grouped according to outcome in near miss, maternal death and potentially life-threatening condition. Prevalence ratios and 95% confidence intervals adjusted for cluster effect for maternal and perinatal variables and delays in receiving obstetric care were calculated as risk estimates of maternal complications having a severe maternal outcome (near miss or death). Poisson multiple regression analysis was also performed. Severe hypertensive disorders were the main cause of severe maternal morbidity (6706/9555); the prevalence of near miss was 4.2 cases per 1000 live births, there were 8.3 cases of Near Miss to 1 Maternal Death and the mortality index was 10.7% (case fatality). Early onset of the disease and postpartum hemorrhage were independent variables associated with severe maternal outcomes, in addition to acute pulmonary edema, previous heart disease and delays in receiving secondary and tertiary care. In women with severe hypertensive disorders, the current study identified situations independently associated with a severe maternal outcome, which could be modified by interventions in obstetric care and in the healthcare system. Furthermore, the study showed the feasibility of a hospital system for surveillance of severe maternal morbidity