Case Study 8 :
Introducing Evidence Based Care use of Magnesium Sulphate, Baglung
This
case study was reported by Janaki KC, the nurse-in-charge of the
maternity ward, Baglung Hospital.
In the late evening, 21 year old Sita was lying unconscious
in the maternity ward. According to her family she had had a
normal delivery of a healthy son two days ago at home. After
the delivery the family were surprised to see Sita having a seizure.
She’d had more seizures by the time they called the nearby
health worker. The health worker tried his best but could not
control the seizures and referred Sita to Baglung hospital.
On arrival, Sita was provided with first aid by an experienced
nurse under the supervision of the medical officer. However,
she did not improve. The team then recalled recent information
they had learnt from NSMP (Nepal Safer Motherhood Project) staff,
that in cases of post–partum eclamptic fit; treatment with
magnesium sulphate is effective. They treated Sita with magnesium
sulphate and monitored her according to the Reproductive Health
protocol.
After a couple of hours, Sita regained consciousness and asked
her family why she had been brought to the hospital and what
was the outcome of her pregnancy? The family were excited to
see Sita in her full senses and told her what had happened. Sita
was soon reunited with beloved son.
After this incident the hospital staff gained confidence in
acting on new evidence in safe motherhood. They made a commitment
never to miss an opportunity to treat women with magnesium sulphate
for eclampsia (or pre-eclampsia) again. |
