BMJ Open Qual. 2025 Dec 3;14(4):e003013. doi: 10.1136/bmjoq-2024-003013.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Enhanced recovery after caesarean delivery (ERAC) is gaining popularity and has been shown to improve maternal and neonatal outcomes. We aimed to identify the presence and type of quality improvement (QI) methodology used in ERAC studies through an exploratory analysis, including author surveys and literature review.
METHODS: We performed a literature search using four databases (MEDLINE through PubMed, Cumulative Index of Nursing and Allied Health Literature, Web of Science and Embase) to identify ERAC studies. Studies were considered if they compared an ‘enhanced’ or ‘fast track’ protocol to a control group and evaluated more than one system or outcome. The adopted QI methodology was evaluated through a standardised questionnaire developed by the authors which was sent to the authors of included studies.
RESULTS: We identified 29 studies. A standardised questionnaire was applied to all included papers to evaluate the presence and type of QI methodology, and 24 authors were approached to complete the survey. We received results from 15 authors, yielding a response rate of 63%. 40% of authors reported use of defined QI methodology, the majority using the Model for Improvement. The QI components most used by those not reporting use of a defined methodology were engagement with multidisciplinary key stakeholders (80%), use of key drivers (87%) and process mapping (60%). Most authors reported use of traditional statistical methodology when analysing results (73%), and 60% reported use of Standards for Quality Improvement Reporting Excellence guidelines. The mean duration of baseline data collection by non-randomised controlled trial studies was 11 months and 9.9 months after implementation.
CONCLUSION: There is a large variation in the QI practices used in protocol implementation and publication of ERAC studies. The minority of authors report the use of a defined QI methodology and very few report the use of standardised tools in their published works.
PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER: CRD42023399418.
PMID:41339001 | DOI:10.1136/bmjoq-2024-003013
