POCUS

LMI – A US-based non-governmental organization that explored partnership on improving maternal and child health outcomes in Culion through Enhanced diagnostic capabilities through ultrasound training for health care workers Increased access to prenatal check-ups, and capacity-building in the use of point-of-care-ultrasound (POCUS). Additionally, the partnership plans to train midwives so that they can bring the service to far-flung areas.

The duration of the project is anticipated as no more than two (2) years. While the timeline for conducting such projects for each of the participating partner LGUs is similar, combining and/or overlapping interventions at two locations will allow for an overall shorter time period compared to consecutive projects.

At the end of an intervention, each LGU/ RHU will have the capacity to:

1. Routinely perform POCUS examinations in 1st, 2nd and 3rd trimesters
2. Maintain a midwifery staff with routine and advanced users in POCUS
3. Have midwives obtain international certification in POCUS
4. Train newly arriving midwives in POCUS
5. Have the medical officers perform POCUS exams and expertly supervise the midwives
6. Predict dates of delivery of all pregnancies (with an accuracy exceeding LMP [last menstrual period] based dating during the first trimester)
7. Detect cases of unexpected multiple gestation pregnancy, abnormal fetal lie, placenta previa, and fetal demise
8. Ensure consistent state of the art quality examinations
9. Refer appropriately and efficiently
10. Address challenges in prenatal care
11. Effectively educate mothers in preventive health through midwives, Barangay Health Workers, or both
12. Establish a lasting connection with mothers as stakeholders for health within their families