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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]