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APHA Scientific Session and Event Listing

Recorded presentation

Richard Sturgis¹, Zamira Sinoimeri², Zhenihen Zanaj¹, and Marcel Reyners¹. (1) PRO Shendetit Project URC, Rruga Budi 41/1, Tirana, Albania, +355 4 340235, zzanaj@urc-chs.com, (2) Ministry of Health, Bulevardi Bajram CURRI, Tirana, Albania

The quality improvement tool and process COPEŽ, developed by EngenderHealth, was introduced in Albania in order to assists staff to identify problems and to search for recommendations and solutions. The application of this tool in Albania, leads mainly to management issues and not to typical medical topics such as compliance with protocols. Therefore the Self-Improvement System (SIS) based on mutual visits by health center staff sharing experiences and comparing current practices with existing protocols has been added.

During a one-day workshop, health centre chiefs and the specialized staff in the specific subject review and update themselves on the national protocol. A health center team visits a neighbouring center and evaluates the application of the protocol. Gaps are identified, discussed and an action plan with objectives for improvement established. A visit is implemented in the reverse direction, with the reviewed staff becoming the reviewers. A second visit is performed to measure improvements and results are presented during a district level workshop. The cycle is then repeated with a second item selected by the district. The baseline and end-of-process results for antenatal control will be presented at the conference. The assessment includes a qualitative assessment from the participants in the process as well as performance results. Given the importance of self-help initiatives in low resource settings, information is also presented on the costs of implementing and maintaining the SIS in Albania.

Learning Objectives: