Objectives: To better understand the paradox in the Dominican Republic of a relatively high maternal mortality ratio despite nearly universal institutionalized deliveries with trained attendants, a rapid assessment using an adaptation of the strategic assessment method was conducted.
Methods: A multi-disciplinary team reviewed national statistics and hospital records, inventoried facilities, and observed peripartum client-provider interactions at 14 facilities.
Results: The major referral hospitals, where more than 40% of births in the country occur, were overcrowded and understaffed, with inexperienced residents overseeing care provided by medical students, interns and nurses. Uncomplicated labor and deliveries were overmedicalized, while complicated ones were not managed appropriately; emergencies were not dealt with in a timely fashion. In the peripheral hospitals physicians were seldom present and clients were either turned away or delivered by unprepared nursing staff. Providers in the busiest facilities suffered from compassion fatigue, and were demoralized and overworked. In all facilities, quality of care was lacking and the delivery and birthing process was dehumanized.
Conclusions: Access and availability of institutional delivery alone is not enough to decrease MMR, it is also the quality of emergency obstetric care that saves lives.