Nurses and midwives are front line health care providers in much of Sub-Saharan Africa. In Zambia, it is estimated that over 8,000 nurses in the country provide approximately 75% of all health services, and therefore have a tremendous impact on public health. At the same time, inspection reports and other studies in Zambia show that nursing quality is often compromised by inadequate supplies and equipment, and by insufficient compliance with nursing protocols. There is also a chronic shortage of nurses due to diverse factors such as emigration and attrition caused by HIV/AIDS. To address these issues, the General Nursing Council of Zambia (GNC) initiated a monitoring and evaluation strategy, developed with support from the Zambia Integrated Health Program. The strategy uses facility checklists, observation guides, and client exit interviews to collect information on 12 areas of nursing competency at 15 sentinel sites. The information is analyzed centrally to identify system-wide strengths and weaknesses, and rapid feedback forms allow for on-site feedback to nurses and facility managers. In this presentation, the M&E system will be described, as well as how the GNC will use data to ensure nursing competency. Baseline data from sentinel sites will be presented, showing strengths and areas for improvement and interventions planned by the GNC in response. This evidence-based system has tremendous potential to improve public health in Zambia and throughout Southern Africa. The GNC regularly provides technical assistance to councils in other countries, and lessons learned in Zambia should be readily applicable elsewhere.
Learning Objectives: By the end of the session, participants will be able to: 1. describe the monitoring and evaluation approach used by the GNC to improve nursing quality in Zambia. 2. name three instruments and 10 indicators that can be used to assess nursing performance in practical settings. 3. articulate the main findings from the baseline assessments. 4. describe how information from monitoring and evaluation systems can be used to make site-specific and system-wide improvements in nursing performance.
Keywords: Quality Improvement, Evaluation
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: General Nursing Council of Zambia
Zambia Integrated Health Program
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.