Infant Mortality in the Province of Río Negro: Qualitative Study with Root Cause Analysis

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: The child mortality rate in Río Negro province is lower than national average. In the 4th Health Area, there was an increase in the last three years, with high impact on neonatal mortality and reducible causes. OBJECTIVES: Through root cause analysis (RCA), to study selected cases and to propose strategies to decrease child mortality in the region. To analyze child mortality in the 4th Health Area from 2011 to 2013. METHODS: An analysis of selected cases was performed, with a descriptive cross-sectional study. The RCA was used for a qualitative study of 14 cases from October 2012 to February 2014. Death-related factors were classified in groups: human resources, institutional factors, external factors, hospital environment, and equipment and supplies. Results were displayed in a Pareto diagram, using a root cause graph in each case. The study analyzed child mortality and its components according to epidemiological variables in 2011, 2012 and 2013. RESULTS: Among death-related aspects, 80% were part of human resources and institutional factors. Gestational age, birth weight and Apgar at 5 minutes were lower in dead children than in general newborn population. There was no significant difference regarding maternal age and education. CONCLUSIONS: A large proportion of child mortality is reducible. The analysis-based strategies aim at improving training and changing organizational culture. RCA allows to detect health care process problems and to generate proposals.