Implementing the WHO Safe Childbirth Checklist: lessons from a global collaboration.

Area of Science:

• Global Health
• Maternal and Child Health
• Healthcare Quality Improvement

Background:

• The WHO Safe Childbirth Checklist (SCC) was designed to standardize essential maternal and perinatal care.
• A global collaboration was formed to investigate factors influencing SCC adoption and use.
• Understanding implementation facilitators and barriers is key to improving childbirth safety worldwide.

Purpose of the Study:

• To provide an overview of the WHO SCC Collaboration.
• To identify factors influencing the successful implementation and uptake of the SCC.
• To share lessons learned from diverse global settings for future checklist implementation.

Main Methods:

• A global research collaboration surveyed end-users and implementation teams.
• Surveys collected data on user experiences, challenges, and facilitators.
• Data from 134 end-users and 38 implementation teams across 19 countries were analyzed.

Main Results:

• End-users found the WHO SCC adoptable and user-friendly.
• Key facilitators for implementation included training, supervision, leadership engagement, and local ownership.
• Adaptation of the SCC to local context and national standards was critical for success.

Conclusions:

• The WHO SCC can be successfully implemented globally with appropriate support and adaptation.
• Lessons learned from the collaboration informed the final SCC version and implementation guide.
• Findings offer valuable insights for institutions aiming to implement the SCC for improved childbirth outcomes.