Standard INTRADEPARTMENTAL TRANSFER OF PATIENTS

33 Operation Policy In Obstetrics and Gynaecology Services OPERATIONAL POLICIES 3. The ward’s staff should informed the labour suite’s staff regarding mothers who need to be sent to labour delivery suite and responsible for transferring the patient. Labour suite staff shall transfer the patients back to ward after delivery. 4. Cases managed in the labour suite shall abide by the policies of the labour delivery suite. 5. Cases requiring further attention and management in High Dependency Ward shall be decided at the specialistconsultant level. These cases shall abide by the policies of the High Dependency Ward. 6. The ward staff shall be responsible for transferring the patient from the bed to the Operation theatre and vice versa to ensure patient’s safety. 7. Cases requiring surgery in the Maternity Operation theatre shall abide by the policies of the Operation theatre. Postnatal cases: 1. Labour suite staff shall transfer patients and their babies from Labour suite to wards. 2 Labour suite staffs are responsible to transfer the babies that need to be admitted to Maternity Neonatal Intensive Care Unit MNICU. 3. Newborns requiring neonatal intensive care shall be sent to the MNICU as soon as possible for further management after informing the parents. 34 Operation Policy In Obstetrics and Gynaecology Services 4. On receiving the mother and baby, the ward staff shall check their tags to verify their identification – ‘Correct baby to the correct mother’. Ward staff shall go through the checklist that is available. 5. Patients who have a perinatal death shall be nursed away from other postnatal mothers in a ward with no babies and the mothers would be discharged home faster if they have no complications at delivery. Measurable elements of 8.4.1 1. Established entry and or transfer criteria for intensive care High Dependency Ward Maternity Neonatal ICU or specialized services Labour suite Maternity Operation Theatre shall be followed. 2. Patient who no longer meet the criteria to remain in the unit are transferred or discharged. 3. Newborns are tagged and transferred according to the operative procedures. Compliance to baby checklist to assess identification Std: 100 Immediate return of patients transferred intradepartmentally Std: 1

8.5 DISCHARGE, REFERRAL AND FOLLOW UP

Referring or discharging a patient to health care professional outside the organization, another care setting, home or family is based on the patient’s health status and need for continuing care or services. The family is included in the discharge planning process as appropriate to the patient and her needs.

8.5.1 Discharge Standard

Appropriate discharge of patients OPERATIONAL POLICIES 35 Operation Policy In Obstetrics and Gynaecology Services Intent of 8.5.1 i. Patients shall be charged according to the Fees Medical order. ii. No leave of absence shall be granted to patients. iii. Patients who wish to leave the hospital against medical advice need to do so in writing in an appropriate form. iv. The minimum length of stay for the uncomplicated postnatal primigravida mothers and their babies shall be up to 24 hours. For multiparas mothers, minimum stay should not be less than 12 hours. v. Postnatal patients with complications and delivered operatively shall be discharged appropriately not less than 48 hours after delivery. vi. Mothers should have been able to pass urine before discharge. The newborn should have been able to pass urine and have their bowels opened before discharge. vii. Mothers shall be discharged together with their babies unless the babies require prolonged stay in the hospital. viii. Identification, verification of babies and relevant administrative matters education, shall be carried out by the nursing staff before leaving the ward. A checklist shall be filled up. ix. Physically disabled and mentally incompetent patients shall be discharged to the legal custodian with written acknowledgement. OPERATIONAL POLICIES