Equipment for neonatal resuscitation in a middle-income country: a national survey in Vietnam

Abstract

BackgroundInterventions to improve neonatal resuscitation are considered a priority for reducing neonatal mortality. In addition to training programs for health caregivers, the availability of adequate equipment in all delivery settings is crucial. In this study, we assessed the availability of equipment for neonatal resuscitation in a large sample of delivery rooms in Vietnam, exploring regional differences.MethodsIn 2012, a structured questionnaire on 2011 neonatal resuscitation practice was sent to the heads of 187 health facilities, representing the three levels of hospital-based maternity services in eight administrative regions in Vietnam, allowing national and regional estimates to be calculated.ResultsOverall the response rate was an 85.7 % (160/187 hospitals). There was a limited availability of equipment considered as “essential” in the surveyed centres: stethoscopes (68.0 %; 95 % CI: 60.3–75.7), clock (50.3 %; 42.0–58.7), clothes (29.5 %; (22.0–36.9), head covering (12.3 %; 7.2–17.4). The percentage of centres equipped with polyethylene bags (2.2 %; 0.0–4.6), pulse oximeter (9.4 %; 5.2–13.6) and room air source (1.9 %; 0.1–3.6) was very low.ConclusionAdequate equipment for neonatal resuscitation was not available in a considerable proportion of hospitals in Vietnam. This problem was more relevant in some regions. The assessment strategy used in this study could be useful for organizing the procurement and distribution of supplies and equipment in other low and/or middle resource settings.

Assessment of the quality of neonatal care in the Solomon Islands

“…Similar to our findings, missing or underutilised essential equipment, logistical difficulties and poor supply have been described in lower‐middle‐income countries as barriers to delivering newborn care . Inadequate hygiene measures, documentation, staff knowledge and skills and insufficient essential equipment are common themes .…”

“…Similar to our findings, missing or underutilised essential equipment, logistical difficulties and poor supply have been described in lower-middle-income countries as barriers to delivering newborn care. [14][15][16] Inadequate hygiene measures, documentation, staff knowledge and skills and insufficient essential equipment are common themes. [16][17][18][19] In other assessments where essential equipment is available, other systemic factors, such as hand hygiene, inadequately trained staff, poor routine care, documentation and prescribing practices, have an impact the quality of newborn care, 20,21 highlighting the need to focus beyond structural improvements.…”

Quality of Basic Care During Neonatal Resuscitation Among Health Care Providers at Three District Hospitals in Kigali

“…[5,15] According to the study conducted by De Graft Johnson et al,(2017) reported that most facilities had some supplies of NR equipment, from a high 90.7% availability of suction devices and 81.9-100% for bag and mask to gaps in basics, such as 40.5% for towels and blankets essential for thermoregulation. [5,24] The availability of NR equipment varied depending on the type of health facility; it was typically higher in hospitals, and lower in health centers.…”

“…[2] But in contrast to a survey in Vietnam, whereby 50.3% of the 187 health facilities had clocks. [24] Protocols and guidelines were present for NR, with over half (55.2%) having visual NR action plans and guidelines, and NR flip charts (55.2%) available on the labor and maternity theater units. Though the majority (65.5%) of HCPs did not refer to them during NR intervention.…”

“…A written checklist (laminated) for equipment and material preparation could be used for daily checks so that supplies are reordered and replenished routinely. [24,26] Further research is highly needed to improve the quality of care in NR to reduce the high numbers of birth asphyxia and improve neonatal outcomes. Future studies should have a larger sample size and additional study sites and include quantitative and qualitative data.…”