Bibliographic Info
GuidelineWHO recommendations: optimizing health worker roles to improve access to key maternal and newborn health interventions through task shifting
Year of Publication2012
Issuing InstitutionWHO
Recommendation
Status
Updated
Recommendation in research context
Only in research contexts
AUXILIARY NURSES administer antihypertensives for severe high blood pressure in pregnancy. We suggest considering this option only in the context of rigorous research
Notes and Remarks
- 1.We suggest that the intervention be evaluated where auxiliary nurses are already an established cadre, where a wellfunctioning referral system is in place or can be put in place, and where care is delivered in the context of a standard protocol.
- 2.Planners need to consider a number of issues when shifting tasks from one health worker cadre to another. These include the distribution of roles among cadres, regulatory issues, stakeholder involvement, training and supervision, systems for referral, supply chains, and possible changes to payments or other incentives. This is especially the case for infrequently used emergency interventions such as bimanual compression.