National quality assurance standards in neonatal intensive care unit

Background and Objectives: The Goal of National Health Mission has been to enhance the availability and access of good quality health care for vulnerable population. The study evaluates the compliance of a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) in a tertiary care government teaching hospital with national quality assurance standards (NQAS). Materials and Methods: A descriptive, observational, cross-sectional study was conducted using validated checklist adopted from NQAS. The data were collected by utilizing data collection techniques such as observation, staff interview, and record review. Results: The NICU has achieved a total score of 65% in service provision. Major gaps n = 126 (29%) were identified. The number of checkpoints which needed to be fulfilled at the departmental level was n = 137 (80%), to be fulfilled at the institutional level was n = 34 (19.2%), and those to be fulfilled at the top-level administration was n = 1 (0.8%); recommendations were made accordingly for improvement. Conclusion: The study concludes that there were n = 126 (29%) noncompliant checkpoints/major gaps, particularly with respect to the quality management and outcome. Based on the findings of the study, the author recommends the development of a dedicated checklist with new checkpoints that need to be incorporated for medical college hospitals and institutes in the country to ensure quality patient care, which will consecutively improve the medical education and research.