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Standards of Care for Health Centers: Volume 3, Reproductive Health

Health for all is an achievable goal for the citizens of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan where primary care focuses on providing high quality preventive, promotive, and curative care in a cost-effective manner. The Jordanian Ministry of Health and USAID-funded Primary Health Care Initiatives Project (PHCI) have formed a partnership to reach this goal. The Standards of Care for Health Centers described here represent a milestone in the road towards better health. They are tangible evidence of the considerable thought and effort that has been devoted to promoting quality of care by the Ministry of Health. The purpose of the "Standards" is to ensure that health center staff members have the basic and essential guidance required for safe, effective, and humane service delivery. The Standards are contained in five volumes, each addressing a distinct aspect of health center services. A sixth volume of performance checklists is included with the Standards to facilitate self-assessment and performance review. As a set, the Standards are intended to serve as a convenient reference, a guide for service delivery, and a tool to support performance improvement. When following the guidelines set forth in the Standards, members of health center staff are assured that services meet the accepted standard of care required by their communities. This is one of 6 volumes, and this volume is described below: Volume 3: Reproductive Health This volume contains guidance for the reproductive health care services typically performed by doctors, nurses, and midwives at primary health centers. Antenatal care focuses on initial assessment and continuing support for pregnant women. The postnatal care section guides follow-up care for new mothers and their infants. Family planning includes guidance for counseling and information on the full range of contraceptive methods available in Jordan. A brief section on HIV/AIDS provides general information, basic education, and prevention messages for the community. All procedures described in the volume are accompanied by performance checklists, which reinforce and highlight the essential skills required for high quality reproductive health services.