Effects of training and electronic medical records on the quality of obstetric practices: An exploratory study

A non-equivalent quasi-experimental study was conducted to assess the effect of capacitation of medical professionals in best practices and the use of ICT techniques on the service guidance before, during and after childbirth. Training was provided to a total of 80 medical staff, varying from obstetric and gynecologic consultants to nurses and internal staff, using videos and digitized medical information. The study clearly revealed positive effects in that the intervention of the medical staff during pregnancy, labor, delivery and post partum significantly improved the monitoring of the blood iron and folic acid concentration, helping the mother in finding the most comfortable position for labor and delivery, the provision of adequate emotional support, the application of active management during the third stage of labor, providing recommendations on the use of antibiotics in premature rupture of the membranes, in knowing when to use magnesium sulfate for the treatment of preterm labor or preeclampsia, corticosteroids and antibiotics to prevent group B streptococcal neonatal, and the identification and treatment of asymptomatic bacteriuria. The exploratory study, encompassing a group of participants who during delivery were attended by trained professionals and another group of participants who served as a control, clearly demonstrated that good and continuous staff training using modern educational technologies, combined with making medical records easily accessible improved the quality of care measures for women during pregnancy, labor and post-delivery.