SEATS II : strategy for quality of care in family planning and reproductive health

(JSI) and its partners seeks to enhance access to and quality of family planning and reproductive health services. This document presents SEAT"s Quality of Care (QOC) strategy and includes: the intellectual framework for quality within which SEATS has made decisions concerning quality assessment and improvement; the essential elements of the SEATS approach to quality; practical examples of successful quality initiatives from SEATS experiences and other sources; recommended tools and resources to improve quality at various levels; and illustrative indicators to measure the outcome and impact of quality improvement efforts. According to the report, the SEATS approach to quality improvement: (1) promotes institutionalization through ownership, peer exchange, a democratic team approach, and establishing a culture, structure, and skills for quality; (2) is process-oriented for continuous improvement; (3) is information driven; (4) uses and adapts existing systems; (5) incorporates the use of clinical protocols; (6) uses "best practices" and recognized tools as well as innovative approaches; (7) is client-oriented; and (8) integrates family planning and reproductive health.