[Quality assurance of prenatal care in a rural health center].
OBJECTIVE
This study was carried out with the aim of evaluating the quality of Prenatal Care (PNC) and improving attention to the pregnant woman.


METHODS
This was a retrospective evaluation, with a later monitoring of two indicators: an early start to care and an evaluation of risk. Site. The study was undertaken in a rural Primary Care Centre.


METHODS
For purposes of the evaluation all the pregnant women (222) looked after between 1988 and 1990 were studied; for the monitoring, all those between July 1990 and June 1991.


RESULTS
On the first evaluation, both the starting of PNC within the first 12 weeks (in 65% of cases) and the evaluation of obstetric risk at the first visit (29% compliance) were considered unacceptably low. With the help of corrective measures and simple practical monitoring, 100% compliance was reached in 12 months. The risk evaluation on subsequent visits (between 73 and 95% compliance) and the number of checks (90% compliance) were considered adequate, and no intervention was made.


CONCLUSIONS
We concluded that the PNC programmes should include quality assurance activities, as these have a positive effect on the improvement of medical care.
García-Pardo Sagarna
T
T
Centro de Salud de Cambre, La Coruña.
Louro González
A
A
Zamora Casal
A
A
Gallegos Pita
J
J
Pérez Echevarría
M
M
Vidan Martínez
L
L
D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D011247:Pregnancy; D011295:Prenatal Care / Q000592:standards*; D011785:Quality Assurance, Health Care; D012423:Rural Health; D013030:Spain
Garantía de calidad de la vigilancia prenatal en un centro de salud rural.