Every death counts: electronic tracking systems for maternal death review in India

Int J Gynaecol Obstet. 2014 Oct:127 Suppl 1:S35-9. doi: 10.1016/j.ijgo.2014.09.003. Epub 2014 Sep 16.

Abstract

Maternal death review (MDR) is an important strategy to improve the quality of obstetric care and reduce maternal morbidity and mortality. MDR provides detailed information on various factors at community, facility, and district levels that influence maternal health outcomes. One of the key challenges is to analyze large volumes of data collected via a paper-based system that uses facility and community level forms. This database continues to expand quantitatively (multiple forms and data elements), which makes analysis of data increasingly difficult for timely management and analysis. The present paper describes the development process involved in linking the paper-based system with an electronic system for MDR in India. The lessons learnt from this experience can contribute to understanding how innovative technologies can be used to address large-scale public health issues in low-resource countries and in particular solutions to address maternal health.

Keywords: FIGO LOGIC initiative; India; Maternal death review; Maternal death review software.

MeSH terms

  • Female
  • Humans
  • India
  • Maternal Death / prevention & control
  • Maternal Death / statistics & numerical data*
  • Maternal Health Services / organization & administration
  • Maternal Health Services / standards
  • Maternal Mortality
  • Maternal Welfare
  • Medical Audit / methods*
  • Medical Informatics / organization & administration*
  • Pregnancy
  • Quality of Health Care
  • Software*