Barriers to implementing the WHO Safe Childbirth Checklist in maternity hospitals, Brazil

To identify barriers to the implementation of the World Health Organization Safe Childbirth Checklist in two reference maternity hospitals-one for high-risk and one for routine-risk childbirths-and to develop a causal model applicable to these contexts.

This qualitative, exploratory study was conducted in two public maternity hospitals that had been using the checklist, since its implementation in 2014. Data were collected through focus groups interviews and brainstorming sessions conducted in 2022 and 2023. Participants included healthcare professionals involved in childbirth care and members of the patient safety center. Content analysis categorized findings based on the five domains of the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR). A causal model was developed using a fishbone diagram to organize results by category.

The identified barriers were classified into four of the five CFIR domains. In the Innovation domain, the checklist itself posed challenges due to its design, complexity, and adaptability to existing workflows. In the Inner Setting, barriers included a weak patient safety culture and infrastructure limitations. The Implementation Process domain revealed deficiencies such as inadequate planning, lack of stakeholder involvement, and absence of feedback and assessment mechanisms. Unlike the high-risk maternity hospital, the Outer Setting barrier -lack of policies supporting continuing education-was identified in the routine-risk facility.

Implementation of the checklist in the studied maternity hospitals is hindered by structural, cultural, and adaptation challenges. Limited investment in training represents a significant obstacle, highlighting the need for professional development programs. High staff turnover and the absence of specific protocols further compromise consistent use. Addressing these barriers requires comprehensive strategies to enhance adherence to and integration of the checklist in maternal-newborn care.