Table 3.87Main resource requirements for home visits for postnatal care contacts compared with routine outpatient postnatal care

ResourceDescription
Staff
▪

Designated, trained, motivated staff for postnatal care of women and newborns in facilities/clinics/office or at home

▪

Additional personnel might be required to conduct home visits

Training
▪

Same as regular practice-based training for health workers

▪

Might require additional personnel and education or training sessions for staff conducting home visits

Supplies
▪

Same medical supplies (e.g. painkillers, iron tablets, contraceptives, anthelminthics, gloves, mosquito nets)

▪

For postnatal home visits, community/household registers to record findings of the home visits and referral slips, counselling cards or flip chart

▪

Staff supplies (e.g. boots, umbrella and bag, mobile phone)

▪

Home-based records

▪

Information/counselling cards for women/parents/caregivers, with home visitor contact information

Equipment and infrastructure
▪

Functional birth notification for staff performing the home visits or scheduling outpatient contacts

▪

For outpatient contacts, a clean, comfortable waiting room for women and their companions, and a clean, private examination room

▪

For postnatal home visits, portable equipment to conduct home visits (e.g. weighing scales, thermometer, clock/timer, bag and mask)

▪

Access to transport to conduct postnatal home visits (e.g. bicycles, motor vehicles)

Time
▪

Same time as for postnatal care in facilities/clinics/office or at home for both women and newborns, or additional time for postnatal home visits (e.g. to carry out a general assessment of the home environment and mother–infant interaction)

▪

For outpatient contacts, 10–20 minutes per contact

▪

Transport time to facility/office for outpatient contact

▪

For postnatal home visits, transport time to client’s home

Supervision and monitoring
▪

Trained supervisors, and regular coordination meetings between health facilities/districts and staff conducting the home visits

▪

Systems to report stock-outs of supplies for postnatal home visits

From: 3, Evidence and recommendations

Cover of WHO recommendations on maternal and newborn care for a positive postnatal experience
WHO recommendations on maternal and newborn care for a positive postnatal experience [Internet].
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