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Table 1 The nine signal functions for maternity facilities and their infrastrutural needs

From: Infrastructural challenges to better health in maternity facilities in rural Kenya: community and healthworker perceptions

Signal function Required in Basic or Comp-rehensive facilities? Infrastructural needs
Electricity Clean water Human resources Enabling medical environment (drugs/supplies/equipment) Road/vehicular access
1. Administer parenteral antibiotics for maternal infection B and C Lighting   HW with midwifery competencies Drugs Yes
Lab tests
2. Administer uterotonic drugs for haemorrhage B and C Lighting Clean blood spills HW with midwifery competencies Drugs Yes
Supplies
3. Administer parenteral anticonvulsants for pre-eclampsia and eclampsia (e.g. magnesium sulphate) B and C Lighting   HW with midwifery competencies Drugs Yes
Lab tests Lab equipment
4. Perform manual removal of placenta for retained placenta B and C Lighting Wash hands/equipment HW with midwifery competencies Equipment Yes
5. Perform removal of retained products of conception (e.g. manual vacuum aspiration, dilation and curettage) B and C Lighting Wash hands/equipment HW with midwifery competencies Equipment Yes
6. Perform assisted or instrumental vaginal delivery (e.g. vacuum extractor) B and C Lighting Wash hands/equipment HW with midwifery competencies Equipment Yes
Vacuum extractor
7. Perform neonatal resuscitation (with bag and mask) B and C Lighting Wash hands/equipment HW with midwifery competencies Equipment Yes
8. Perform surgery (e.g. caesarean section) C only Lighting Wash hands/equipment Team inc MW and obgyn Equipment Emergency referral ambulance
Surgery equipment Drugs
Supplies
9. Perform blood transfusion C only Lighting Wash hands/equipment Team inc MW and obgyn Equipment Emergency referral ambulance
Refrigerator for storage of blood Drugs
Supplies
Blood
  1. Source: [15]
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Reproductive Health

ISSN: 1742-4755