Methodology
This study was conducted in three phases: pre-interventional, interventional, and post-interventional. Several qualitative research methods were used during the pre-and post-interventional phases. Ethical clearance was obtained from the Ethics Review Committee, Post Graduate Institute of Medicine, University of Colombo. Permission to carry out the project was obtained from the Ministry of Health, Deputy Director General – Medical Services I, Director- Directorate of Healthcare Quality & Safety (DHQS), Director- FHB, Director -NBTS, Provincial Director of Health Services – Western Province, Regional Director of Health Services – Colombo and the Head of the Institution of DGH Avissawella.
The study was conducted from February 2022 to December 2022 in the District General Hospital (DGH) – Avissawella, the only District General Hospital in Colombo district- the capital of Sri Lanka. The hospital comprises all major specialties, theatre, and ICU facilities, and almost all sub-specialties that a District General Hospital should have (8). Considering the service availability, practical feasibility, and administrative support for implementation, the research team selected the site mentioned above to pilot the project.