Enhancing the quality of neonatal care by improving mothers' knowledge, attitude, and practice through checklist intervention

Objectives: The objective of this study is to improve the newborn and self-care practices among postnatal mothers through quality improvement techniques and to create awareness about newborn and perinatal care practices in the Mother and Child Protection (MCP) Card. Materials and Methods: The barriers to low newborn and self-care practices were identified and evaluated using fishbone analysis. An operational team was formed, and a checklist was created. A total of four Plan-Do-Study-Act (PDSA) cycles were carried out. Baseline knowledge was collected using the questionnaire from the checklist. Appropriate education and counseling regarding newborns and self-care practices were taught. A variety of measures were used during counseling. The educated mothers were recalled after 5–7 days to assess their knowledge. Results: A total of 102 postnatal mothers were enrolled in the study, and 78 were available for follow-up after 5–7 days. During all study cycles, median checklist scores increased from 38 to 57 (PDSA 1), 37 to 58 (PDSA 2), 37 to 57 (PDSA 3), and 32.5 to 56 (PDSA 4). The increase in median checklist scores in all the PDSA cycles was statistically significant (P < 0.05). The median difference in checklist score from baseline in the chronological order of PDSA cycles was 19, 21.5, 22, and 23. After educating the mothers about the MCP Card, the percentage of mothers who read the information in the MCP Card increased from <5% to 38%. Conclusion: Quality Improvement principles such as the introduction of a checklist can be successfully implemented to improve the quality of newborns and self-care practices among postnatal mothers.