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A case for updating the WHO Safe Childbirth Checklist to improve newborn care: Experience from seven Asia and Pacific countries
Author(s) -
Sobel Howard L.,
Murray John C. S.,
Mannava Priya,
Mathai Matthews,
Silvestre Maria Asuncion A.
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
acta paediatrica
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.772
H-Index - 115
eISSN - 1651-2227
pISSN - 0803-5253
DOI - 10.1111/apa.15567
Subject(s) - childbirth , medicine , checklist , maternity care , health care , best practice , nursing , home childbirth , pregnancy , family medicine , economic growth , economics , cognitive psychology , biology , psychology , genetics , management
Abstract The WHO Safe Childbirth Checklist (the SCC) is a clinical tool developed to help health workers follow evidence‐based maternal and perinatal care practices at childbirth. Newborn delivery care practices at facilities in seven countries in East Asia and the Pacific were compared to practices checked by the SCC. The analysis found that the SCC does not incorporate several key evidence‐based practices around birth demonstrated to prevent newborn morbidity or mortality, or harmful practices associated with increased risks. A revision of the standard SCC is needed to maximise its potential to improve newborn outcomes. This can be initiated under the coordinating umbrella of WHO, but must ensure that the realities of labour and childbirth practices in low‐ and middle‐income countries are considered and addressed.