Improving the Quality of Dispensary Care of Premature Infants in Regional Health Corp. (Krajská zdravotní, a.s.)

Project facts

Project promoter:
Regional Health, Inc.
Project Number:
CZ11-0021
Target groups
Children
Status:
Completed
Initial project cost:
€399,819
Final project cost:
€358,820
From Norway Grants:
€ 215,292
The project is carried out in:
Ústecký kraj

Description

There has been a steep increase in the number of newborns with very low birth weight, which often lead to problems in the early development of children. The main output of the project is the development of secondary and tertiary prevention aimed at reducing consequences of illnesses, injuries and health problems in childhood through the follow-up dispensary care in Perinatal Centres. The project focuses primarily on the purchase of specialized equipment that will make possible a number of organ system examinations in high-risk newborns. This step will create optimal conditions for adequate dispensary care for newborns with very low to extremely low birth weight. An integral part of the project is the education of medical staff in the field of long-term monitoring of high-risk newborns. The project also includes the creation and implementation of the preventive dispensary care programme. At the same time, there will be a series of lectures for the general and professional public (secondary schools, children and adolescents, medical personnel involved in non-medical disciplines) in contemporary trends in treatment as well as prevention.

Summary of project results

The aim of the project was to foster secondary and tertiary prevention targeted on reduction of morbidity, negative effects of serious illnesses or injuries and other health problems connected with the pre-mature birth. The Perinatological centres in Ústi and Labem and Most were equipped with 19 appliances that allow for examination of various organ systems of new-borns (head, lungs, abdomen, ORL, sight) so that timely identification of potential deficiencies and targeted treatment is ensured. Moreover, preventive dispensary care programme was created so that efficient treatment is secured even after hospitalisation. The programme involved 24 educational activities for paediatricians and general practitioners that ensure follow-up care but also for parents and general public. Awareness raising campaigns were also targeted on students from secondary schools, informing them on under age pregnancy and risks associated with pre-mature birth. Another positive effect of the project was strengthened interdisciplinary cooperation via joint seminars of professionals from different areas, as health problems of low-weight new-borns are, even at the older age, usually affecting wider spectre of organs or cognitive functions. Altogether 797 children directly benefited from the project by the end of its implementation.

Summary of bilateral results