LAUSR

Abstract Objective Present methods to measure standardized, replicable and comparable metrics to measure quality of medical care in low- and middle-income countries. Design We constructed quality indicators for maternal, neonatal and child care. To minimize reviewer judgment, we transformed criteria from check-lists into data points and decisions into conditional algorithms. Distinct criteria were established for each facility level and type of care. Indicators were linked to discharge diagnoses. We designed electronic abstraction tools using computer-assisted personal interviewing software. Setting We present results for data collected in the poorest areas of Belize, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Panama and the state of Chiapas in Mexico (January—October 2014). Results We collected data from 12 662 medical records. Indicators show variations of quality of care between and within countries. Routine interventions, such as quality antenatal care (ANC), immediate neonatal care and postpartum contraception, had low levels of compliance. Records that complied with quality ANC ranged from 68.8% [confidence interval (CI):64.5–72.9] in Costa Rica to 5.7% [CI:4.0–8.0] in Guatemala. Less than 25% of obstetric and neonatal complications were managed according to standards in all countries. Conclusions Our study underscores that, with adequate resources and technical expertise, collecting data for quality indicators at scale in low- and middle-income countries is possible. Our indicators offer a comparable, replicable and standardized framework to identify variations on quality of care. The indicators and methods described are highly transferable and could be used to measure quality of care in other countries.