Evaluation of the Quality of Postpartum Care Based on Bruce Model in Medical Health Centers of Mashhad City in 2013-2014

Introduction: Evaluating quality of health and medical care is considered as an essential criteria to promote the cares' quality that can lead to improve the results of programs and their efficacy. One of the methods to assess the quality of care is Bruce model which can detect the weak units and eliminate the shortages. This study was performed with aim to evaluate the quality of postpartum care Based on Bruce Model in medical health centers of Mashhad. Methods: This cross-sectional study was performed on 500 qualified mothers from 19 medical and health centers in Mashhad in 2013-2014. The samples were selected by multi-stage sampling method. Data collection tool included demographic questionnaire and care evaluation check-list based on Bruce model which included 6 aspects of technical skills, training and consultation, inter-personal relationship, informed selection, follow-up mechanism, organizing the services and conditions. Data was analyzed by SPSS software (version 16) and descriptive-analytical statistics. PResults: Total quality of postpartum cares was moderate. In this study, technical qualification (clinical examinations) and training and consultation in postpartum care were weak. Other aspects including technical qualification (history), inter-personal relationship, follow-up mechanism, and informed selection were moderate. Based on the Kruskal-Wallis test, there was difference between mean scores of different aspects of quality in Mashhad health centers except in the aspect of follow-up mechanism (P<0.05). Conclusion: With regard to the poor quality of clinical examinations and training and consultation in these cares and their effects on preventing from postpartum complications, it is recommended to do more studies about the cause of weak quality of these cares.