The quality of professional practice by registered nurses and midwives in central hospitals in Malawi

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the quality of professional practice by the registered nurses midwives as reflected in clinical nursing care records for postlaparotomy patients in public central hospitals in Malawi. The set process standards by Nurses and Midwives Council of Malawi (NMCM) were addressed in relation to clinical care of post-laparotomy patients. The hypothesis for this study was that the quality of professional practice by the registered nurse midwives as reflected in clinical nursing care of post-laparotomy patients in public central hospitals in Malawi is inadequate and non-compliant with the process standards set by the NMCM. The researcher used quantitative, evaluative, descriptive, contextual survey and participatory observations to collect data. A three-point rating scale consisting of compliance (C) = 1, partial compliance (PC) = 0.5 and non-compliance (NC) = 0.0 was used to evaluate the state registered nurse midwives’ compliance with process standards. The results showed partial compliance with the set NMCM process standards by the state registered nurse midwives in public central hospitals in Malawi.