Deficiencies in maternity care must be addressed

44 of the country’s 45 maternity clinics need to remedy deficiencies in order to provide good maternity care, according to the Swedish Care Inspectorate (Ivo).

Much works well in Swedish maternity care – but not everything, according to Ivo.

The shortcomings are, among other things, about self-monitoring, that recommended work methods for pelvic floor hernias are not followed and that record keeping needs to be improved.

The caregivers’ self-monitoring in the areas of execution, documentation and quality work is in many cases not sufficient to detect, prevent and prevent risks or serious events, according to the interim report from Ivo.

Pelvic floor stretch marks

In the case of pelvic floor hernias, it is recommended that two people are present during the examination and suturing. But it has not had enough impact in the practical work – which can lead to health care injuries, according to Ivo.

The inspection shows that the staff do not always have the conditions to document in connection with the provision of care, which the guidelines state that they should. Better conditions for the staff are required to be able to document assessments and medication management, according to the report.

“These are important parts that need to be in place for patient-safe care, because otherwise there is a risk of serious care injuries. We also see that in the reports that come in to the authority,” says Peder Carlsson, head of department at Ivo, in a press release.

Report actions

The Inspectorate for Care and Care has carried out supervision of all 45 maternity clinics in Sweden within the framework of an assignment from the government on strengthened supervision of maternal health care and maternity care.

44 clinics that have received supervisory decisions so far have been required to report back on planned and taken measures.

FACT Strengthen supervision

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