Quality development in perinatal care - The OBSQID project

This special communication describes the objectives and strategies of the OBStetrical Quality Indicators and Data collection (OBSQID) project, a pan-European network of researchers, healthcare providers, and professional institutions and associations using agreed key quality indicators and served by a common database. OBSQID is based on the general concept of continuous assessment, management and development of quality of care and is geared to perinatal medicine. It allows contributors to measure, on an on-going basis, the outcomes of care they provide against those of other facilities within their own region or country as well as in Europe. It identifies 'best practices' and allows for the exchange and transfer of knowledge and expertise through 'twinning' or collaborative partnerships [1]. It also assists in setting general quality standards as well as specific guidelines aimed at ensuring all patients high quality, cost-effective care.