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
We recommend the use of NURSES to deliver the following interventions, with targeted monitoring and evaluation: Diagnosis of preterm pre-labour rupture of membranes (pPROM) and delivery of initial treatment of injectable antibiotics, using a standard syringe, before referral
Notes and Remarks
- 1.As it remains uncertain whether nurses will have the appropriate skills and equipment to make such a diagnosis, the intervention should be implemented where nurses provide care for pregnant women, are trained to give injections, and have regulatory and professional approval for these practices.
- 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