Comprehensive maternal hemorrhage protocols improve patient safety and reduce utilization of blood products

Consensus Bundle on Severe Hypertension During Pregnancy and the Postpartum Period

Complications arising from hypertensive disorders of pregnancy are among the leading causes of preventable severe maternal morbidity and mortality. Timely and appropriate treatment has the potential to significantly reduce hypertension-related complications. To assist health care providers in achieving this goal, this patient safety bundle provides guidance to coordinate and standardize the care provided to women with severe hypertension during pregnancy and the postpartum period. This is one of several patient safety bundles developed by multidisciplinary work groups of the National Partnership for Maternal Safety under the guidance of the Council on Patient Safety in Women's Health Care. These safety bundles outline critical clinical practices that should be implemented in every maternity care setting. Similar to other bundles that have been developed and promoted by the Partnership, the hypertension safety bundle is organized into four domains: Readiness, Recognition and Prevention, Response, and Reporting and Systems Learning. Although the bundle components may be adapted to meet the resources available in individual facilities, standardization within an institution is strongly encouraged. This commentary provides information to assist with bundle implementation.

Postpartum haemorrhage: prevention and treatment

INTRODUCTION

Postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) is one of the leading causes of maternal death and severe maternal morbidity worldwide and strategies to prevent and treat PPH vary among international authorities. Areas covered: This review seeks to provide a global overview of PPH (incidence, causes, risk factors), prevention (active management of the third stage of labor and prohemostatic agents), treatment (first, second and third-line measures to control PPH), by also underlining recommendations elaborated by international authorities and using algorithms. Expert commentary: When available, oxytocin is considered the drug of first choice for both prevention and treatment of PPH, while peripartum hysterectomy remains the ultimate life-saving procedure if pharmacological and resuscitation measures fail. Nevertheless, the level of evidence for preventing and treating PPH is globally low. The emergency nature of PPH makes randomized controlled trials (RCT) logistically difficult. Population-based observational studies should be encouraged as they can usefully strengthen the evidence base, particularly for components of PPH treatment that are difficult or impossible to assess through RCT.

The impact of the implementation of the postpartum haemorrhage management guidelines at the first regional perinatal centre in Southern Kazakhstan

Background

Postpartum haemorrhage (PPH) remains one of the most common causes of maternal morbidity and mortality. Therefore, clearly written PPH management guidelines should be used in clinical practice. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of the implementation of PPH management guidelines at the First Regional Perinatal Centre of Southern Kazakhstan (FRPC).

Methods

Between 2012 and 2013 an interventional study was performed whereby the PPH management guidelines were implemented at the FRPC. All of the deliveries that were complicated by PPH 8 months before and 8 months after the intervention were analysed. Prevalence and severity of PPH, and the change in prevention, diagnostics and management of PPH was evaluated and statistical analysis using the SPSS 22.0 was performed.

Results

There were in total 5404 and 5956 deliveries in the pre- and post-intervention periods, respectively. The rates of PPH and severe PPH decreased from 1.17 to 1.02 % (p = 0.94) and from 0.24 to 0.22 % (p = 0.94), respectively. Blood loss on average increased from 1055 to 1170 ml in the post-intervention period. The pharmacological treatment of postpartum haemorrhage with uterotonics was administered most frequently during both periods. After the implementation of the guidelines, the number of transfused units of packed red blood cells decreased from 4.76 to 2.48 units/case. In addition, the amount of transfused fresh frozen plasma decreased by 20 %. The number of conservative interventions and conservative operations increased from 7.9 to 52.7 % and from 3.9 to 48.6 %, respectively. The number of hysterectomies decreased from 23.7 % in pre-intervention to 8.1 % in the post-intervention period.

Conclusions

The implementation of the PPH management guidelines had a positive effect on PPH prevention, diagnostics and management. It led to a more conservative aproach to the treatment of PPH. Therefore, clearly written PPH management guidelines, adapted for a particular hospital, should be developed and used in clinical practice.

Management of postpartum haemorrhage

Postpartum Haemorrhage (PPH) is a major cause of maternal morbidity and mortality. Treatment of acquired coagulopathy observed in severe PPH is an important part of PPH management, but is mainly based on literature in trauma patients, and data thus should be interpreted with caution. This review describes recent advances in transfusion strategy and in the use of tranexamic acid and fibrinogen concentrates in women with PPH.

Triggers, bundles, protocols, and checklists--what every maternal care provider needs to know

The rise in maternal morbidity and mortality has resulted in national and international attention at optimally organizing systems and teams for pregnancy care. Given that maternal morbidity and mortality can occur unpredictably in any obstetric setting, specialists in general obstetrics and gynecology along with other primary maternal care providers should be integrally involved in efforts to improve the safety of obstetric care delivery. Quality improvement initiatives remain vital to meeting this goal. The evidence-based utilization of triggers, bundles, protocols, and checklists can aid in timely diagnosis and treatment to prevent or limit the severity of morbidity as well as facilitate interdisciplinary, patient-centered care. The purpose of this document is to summarize the pertinent elements from this forum to assist primary maternal care providers in their utilization and implementation of these safety tools.

Obstetric hemorrhage: A global review

Postpartum hemorrhage remains the number one cause of maternal death globally despite the fact that it is largely a preventable and most often a treatable condition. While the global problem is appreciated, some may not realize that in the United States postpartum hemorrhage is a leading cause of mortality and unfortunately, the incidence is on the rise. In New York, obstetric hemorrhage is the second leading cause of maternal mortality in the state. National data suggests that hemorrhage is disproportionally overrepresented as a contributor to severe maternal morbidity and we suspect as we explore further this will be true in New York State as well. Given the persistent and significant contribution to maternal mortality, it may be useful to analyze the persistence of this largely preventable cause of death within the framework of the historic "Three Delays" model of maternal mortality. The ongoing national and statewide problem with postpartum hemorrhage will be reviewed in this context of delays in an effort to inform potential solutions.

Postpartum Hemorrhage Preparedness Elements Vary Among Hospitals in New Jersey and Georgia

OBJECTIVE

To identify the presence or absence of 38 postpartum hemorrhage preparedness elements in hospitals in New Jersey and Georgia as a component of the Postpartum Hemorrhage Project of the Association of Women's Health, Obstetric and Neonatal Nurses.

DESIGN

Quality improvement baseline assessment survey.

SETTING

Hospitals (N = 95) in New Jersey and Georgia.

PARTICIPANTS

Key informants were clinicians who were members of their hospitals' obstetric teams and were recognized as knowledgeable about their hospitals' postpartum hemorrhage policies.

METHODS

An electronic survey was sent by e-mail to each identified hospital's key informant.

RESULTS

The mean number of elements present was 23.1 (SD = 5.2; range = 12-34). Volume of births, students, magnet status, and other hospital characteristics did not predict preparedness. None of the hospitals had all of the 38 preparedness elements available. Less than 50% of the hospitals had massive hemorrhage protocols, performed risk assessments and drills, or measured blood loss. For every 10% increase in the total percentage of African American women who gave birth, there was a decrease of one preparedness element.

CONCLUSION

Objective measures of preparedness are needed, because perceptions of preparedness were inconsistent with the number of preparedness elements reported.

Transfusion and coagulation management in major obstetric hemorrhage

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Major obstetric hemorrhage is a leading cause of maternal morbidity and mortality. We will review transfusion strategies and the value of monitoring the maternal coagulation profile during severe obstetric hemorrhage.

RECENT FINDINGS

Epidemiologic studies indicate that rates of severe postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) in well resourced countries are increasing. Despite these increases, rates of transfusion in obstetrics are low (0.9-2.3%), and investigators have questioned whether a predelivery 'type and screen' is cost-effective for all obstetric patients. Instead, blood ordering protocols specific to obstetric patients can reduce unnecessary antibody testing. When severe PPH occurs, a massive transfusion protocol has attracted interest as a key therapeutic resource by ensuring sustained availability of blood products to the labor and delivery unit. During early postpartum bleeding, recent studies have shown that hypofibrinogenemia is an important predictor for the later development of severe PPH. Point-of-care technologies, such as thromboelastography and rotational thromboelastometry, can identify decreased fibrin clot quality during PPH, which correlate with low fibrinogen levels.

SUMMARY

A massive transfusion protocol provides a key resource in the management of severe PPH. However, future studies are needed to assess whether formula-driven vs. goal-directed transfusion therapy improves maternal outcomes in women with severe PPH.

Baseline assessment of a hospital-specific early warning trigger system for reducing maternal morbidity

OBJECTIVE

To determine whether predefined maternal early warning triggers (MEWTs) can predict pregnancy morbidity.

METHODS

In a retrospective case-control study, obstetric patients admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) between 2012 and 2013 at seven pilot US hospitals were compared with control patients who had a normal delivery outcome. Six MEWTs were assessed.

RESULTS

The case and control groups each contained 50 patients. Hemorrhage (15/50, 30%), sepsis (12/50, 24%), cardiac dysfunction (8/50, 16%), and pre-eclampsia (6/50, 12%) were the most common reasons for ICU admission. Significant associations were recorded between ICU admission and tachycardia (OR 5.0, 95% CI 2.1-11.7), mean arterial pressure less than 65 mm Hg (OR 4.5, 95% CI 1.9-10.8), temperature of at least 38°C (OR 44.1, 95% CI 13.0-839.1), and altered mental state (OR 44.1, 95% CI 13.1-839.0). Two or more triggers were persistent for 30 minutes or more in 36 (72%) ICU patients versus 2 (4%) controls (OR 61.7, 95% CI 13.2-288.0). Earlier medical intervention might have led to a lesser degree of maternal morbidity for 31 (62%) ICU patients with at least one MEWT.

CONCLUSION

Persistent MEWTs were present in most obstetric ICU cases. Retrospectively, MEWTs in this cohort seemed to separate normal obstetric patients from those for whom ICU admission was indicated; their use might reduce maternal morbidity.

The Role of Obstetrics/Gynecology Hospitalists in Reducing Maternal Mortality

The United States experienced a 6.1% annual increase in the maternal death rate from 2000 to 2013. Maternal deaths from hemorrhage and complications of preeclampsia are significant contributors to the maternal death rate. Many of these deaths are preventable. By virtue of their continuous care of laboring patients, active involvement in hospital safety initiatives, and immediate availability, obstetric hospitalists are uniquely positioned to evaluate patients, initiate care, and coordinate a multidisciplinary effort. In cases of significant maternal hemorrhage, hypertensive crisis, and acute pulmonary edema, the availability of an obstetrics hospitalist may facilitate improved patient safety and fewer maternal deaths.

Second-line uterotonics and the risk of hemorrhage-related morbidity

OBJECTIVE

Uterine atony is a leading cause of postpartum hemorrhage. Although most cases of postpartum hemorrhage respond to first-line therapy with uterine massage and oxytocin administration, second-line uterotonics including methylergonovine and carboprost are integral for the management of refractory uterine atony. Despite their ubiquitous use, it is uncertain whether the risk of hemorrhage-related morbidity differs in women exposed to methylergonovine or carboprost at cesarean delivery.

STUDY DESIGN

We performed a secondary analysis using the Maternal-Fetal Medicine Units Network Cesarean Registry. We identified women who underwent cesarean delivery and received either methylergonovine or carboprost for refractory uterine atony. The primary outcome was hemorrhage-related morbidity defined as intraoperative or postoperative red blood cell transfusion or the need for additional surgical interventions including uterine artery ligation, hypogastric artery ligation, or peripartum hysterectomy for atony. We compared the risk of hemorrhage-related morbidity in those exposed to methylergonovine vs carboprost. Propensity-score matching was used to account for potential confounders.

RESULTS

The study cohort comprised 1335 women; 870 (65.2%) women received methylergonovine and 465 (34.8%) women received carboprost. After accounting for potential confounders, the risk of hemorrhage-related morbidity was higher in the carboprost group than the methylergonovine group (relative risk, 1.7; 95% confidence interval, 1.2-2.6).

CONCLUSION

In this propensity score-matched analysis, methylergonovine was associated with reduced risk of hemorrhage-related morbidity during cesarean delivery compared to carboprost. Based on these results, methylergonovine may be a more effective second-line uterotonic.

Comprehensive maternal hemorrhage protocols reduce the use of blood products and improve patient safety

The purpose of this study was to assess the effectiveness of instituting a comprehensive protocol for the treatment of maternal hemorrhage within a large health care system. A comprehensive maternal hemorrhage protocol was initiated within a health care system with 29 different delivery units and with >60,000 annual births. Compliance with key elements of the protocol was assessed monthly by a dedicated perinatal safety nurse at each site and validated during site visits by system perinatal nurse specialist. Outcome variables were the total number of units of blood transfused and the number of puerperal hysterectomies. Three time points were assessed: (1) 2 months before implementation of the protocol, (2) a 2-month period that was measured at 5 months after implementation of the protocol, and (3) a 2-month period at 10 months after implementation. There were 32,059 deliveries during the 3 study periods. Relative to baseline, there was a significant reduction in blood product use per 1000 births (-25.9%; P < .01) and a nonsignificant reduction (-14.8%; P = .2) in the number of patients who required puerperal hysterectomy. Within a large health care system, the application of a standardized method to address maternal hemorrhage significantly reduced maternal morbidity, based on the need for maternal transfusion and peripartum hysterectomy. These data support implementation of standardized methods for postpartum care and treatment of maternal hemorrhage and support that this approach will reduce maternal morbidity.

Does a postpartum hemorrhage patient safety program result in sustained changes in management and outcomes?

We sought to determine whether the introduction of a postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) safety program was associated with changes in clinical practice and outcomes, and to examine whether these changes were sustained over time. In August 2008, a multidisciplinary PPH patient safety program was implemented at our single tertiary care hospital. We performed a cohort study of all women with PPH from August 2007 through December 2011. Changes in clinical practice and outcomes were compared before and after the intervention. Shewhart charts were used to examine sustainability of these changes over time. During the study period 52,819 women delivered, and 3105 (5.9%) experienced PPH. After the introduction of the program there was a significant increase in the use of uterotonic medications (P < .001), intrauterine balloon tamponade (P = .002), B-Lynch suture placement (P = .042), uterine artery embolization (P = .050), and cryoprecipitate use (P = .0222). Concomitantly, the number of days between admissions to the intensive care unit for PPH increased.

Massive hemorrhage: a report from the anesthesia closed claims project

BACKGROUND

Hemorrhage is a potentially preventable cause of adverse outcomes in surgical and obstetric patients. New understanding of the pathophysiology of hemorrhagic shock, including development of coagulopathy, has led to evolution of recommendations for treatment. However, no recent study has examined the legal outcomes of these claims. The authors reviewed closed anesthesia malpractice claims related to hemorrhage, seeking common factors to guide future management strategies.

METHODS

The authors analyzed 3,211 closed surgical or obstetric anesthesia malpractice claims from 1995 to 2011 in the Anesthesia Closed Claims Project. Claims where patient injury was attributed to hemorrhage were compared with all other surgical and obstetric claims. Risk factors for hemorrhage and coagulopathy, clinical factors, management, and communication issues were abstracted from claim narratives to identify recurrent patterns.

RESULTS

Hemorrhage occurred in 141 (4%) claims. Obstetrics accounted for 30% of hemorrhage claims compared with 13% of nonhemorrhage claims (P < 0.001); thoracic or lumbar spine surgery was similarly overrepresented (24 vs. 6%, P < 0.001). Mortality was higher in hemorrhage than nonhemorrhage claims (77 vs. 27%, P < 0.001), and anesthesia care was more often judged to be less than appropriate (55 vs. 38%, P < 0.001). Median payments were higher in hemorrhage versus nonhemorrhage claims ($607,750 vs. $276,000, P < 0.001). Risk factors for hemorrhage and coagulopathy were common, and initiation of transfusion therapy was commonly delayed.

CONCLUSIONS

Hemorrhage is a rare, but serious, cause of anesthesia malpractice claims. Understanding which patients are at risk can aid in patient referral decisions, design of institutional systems for responding to hemorrhage, and education of surgeons, obstetricians, and anesthesiologists.

The future of obstetrics/gynecology in 2020: a clearer vision: finding true north and the forces of change

The pressure to transform health care has been building for many years, and many frameworks have been proposed for this transformation. The 'Triple Aim' concept of improving the health of the population, improving the experience of the patient, and controlling cost can be used as a guide post for the adoption of the necessary changes to thrive in a new construct of women's health care. Following these guiding principles should lead to improved clinical outcomes at affordable costs with high patient and provider satisfaction. The actual changes will come in the form of various 'transformational forces.' One of the driving forces will be conversion of the current payment structure from a fee-for-service model to value-based payments. In addition, the methods of care must be redesigned into a 'team-based' approach in which providers and patients use best practice protocols that are individualized to specific patient needs. Redesign will continue to drive consolidation of providers into larger groups to cover the cost of the needed infrastructure.

[Management of postpartum hemorrhage (PPH): algorithm of the interdisciplinary D-A-CH consensus group PPH (Germany - Austria - Switzerland)]

Postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) is one of the main causes of maternal deaths even in industrialized countries. It represents an emergency situation which necessitates a rapid decision and in particular an exact diagnosis and root cause analysis in order to initiate the correct therapeutic measures in an interdisciplinary cooperation. In addition to established guidelines, the benefits of standardized therapy algorithms have been demonstrated. A therapy algorithm for the obstetric emergency of postpartum hemorrhage in the German language is not yet available. The establishment of an international (Germany, Austria and Switzerland D-A-CH) "treatment algorithm for postpartum hemorrhage" was an interdisciplinary project based on the guidelines of the corresponding specialist societies (anesthesia and intensive care medicine and obstetrics) in the three countries as well as comparable international algorithms for therapy of PPH.The obstetrics and anesthesiology personnel must possess sufficient expertise for emergency situations despite lower case numbers. The rarity of occurrence for individual patients and the life-threatening situation necessitate a structured approach according to predetermined treatment algorithms. This can then be carried out according to the established algorithm. Furthermore, this algorithm presents the opportunity to train for emergency situations in an interdisciplinary team.

Massive blood transfusion during hospitalization for delivery in New York State, 1998-2007

OBJECTIVE

To define the frequency, risk factors, and outcomes of massive transfusion in obstetrics.

METHODS

The State Inpatient Dataset for New York (1998-2007) was used to identify all delivery hospitalizations for hospitals that reported at least one delivery-related transfusion per year. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed to examine the relationship between maternal age, race, and relevant clinical variables and the risk of massive blood transfusion defined as 10 or more units of blood recorded.

RESULTS

Massive blood transfusion complicated 6 of every 10,000 deliveries with cases observed even in the smallest facilities. Risk factors with the strongest independent associations with massive blood transfusion included abnormal placentation (1.6/10,000 deliveries, adjusted odds ratio [OR] 18.5, 95% confidence interval [CI] 14.7-23.3), placental abruption (1.0/10,000, adjusted OR 14.6, 95% CI 11.2-19.0), severe preeclampsia (0.8/10,000, adjusted OR 10.4, 95% CI 7.7-14.2), and intrauterine fetal demise (0.7/10,000, adjusted OR 5.5, 95% CI 3.9-7.8). The most common etiologies of massive blood transfusion were abnormal placentation (26.6% of cases), uterine atony (21.2%), placental abruption (16.7%), and postpartum hemorrhage associated with coagulopathy (15.0%). A disproportionate number of women who received a massive blood transfusion experienced severe morbidity including renal failure, acute respiratory distress syndrome, sepsis, and in-hospital death.

CONCLUSION

Massive blood transfusion was infrequent, regardless of facility size. In the presence of known risk for receipt of massive blood transfusion, women should be informed of this possibility, should deliver in a well-resourced facility if possible, and should receive appropriate blood product preparation and venous access in advance of delivery.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

: II.

Maternal and newborn outcomes following uterine rupture among women without versus those with a prior cesarean

OBJECTIVE

To compare outcomes from uterine ruptures (UR) among women without versus with a prior cesarean.

METHOD

This case-control study matched on gestational age +/- 1 week and birth year +/- 2 years using a variable numbers of controls (maximum = 4) for each case. All URs in Massachusetts between 1990 and 1998 were identified using ICD-9 codes from linked hospital discharge and birth/fetal death certificate files and confirmed by medical record review. Complete hospitalization records were abstracted. Maternal outcomes were hysterectomy, transfusion, ICU admission, shock, assisted ventilation, and hospital length of stay. Infant outcomes were 5 min Apgar less than 3 or need for ventilation at birth, death, or poor prognosis at discharge.

RESULTS

The UR incidence in women without a prior cesarean was 7 per 100,000 births. Of the 49 women without a prior cesarean and a UR, 36 women met study criteria and were matched to 140 controls. Women without a prior cesarean had more severe maternal morbidity (50% vs. 16%) (adj OR 3.28, 95% CI: 1.70, 6.32) with 47% of cases requiring transfusion and 33% requiring ICU admission. Their hospital stays were nearly two days longer. Among their infants, 14% died or had a poor prognosis at discharge compared to 7% of control infants (OR = 2.42, 95% CI 0.94, 6.28).

CONCLUSION

Although UR in a woman without a prior cesarean is uncommon, providers should be prepared for more severe maternal morbidity which may be mitigated by prompt surgical intervention and heightened hemodynamic surveillance.

Maternal mortality

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

This review summarizes recent developments in maternal mortality surveillance, and draws from recent confidential mortality reports to suggest ways the anesthesiologist can contribute to safer systems of care.

RECENT FINDINGS

Maternal mortality rates appear to be static in much of the developed world, but are increasing in the USA. While improvements in ascertainment explain some of these trends, deferred childbearing, increasing population rates of coexisting disease, multifetal pregnancy, and emerging infections also contribute. Risk is markedly elevated among certain racial and ethnic minorities, due to a confluence of factors that includes behavior, biology, environmental exposures, social circumstances, and the quality of clinical care. Approximately 30-40% of maternal deaths are potentially preventable, and recent maternal mortality reviews suggest specific strategies that may improve outcomes for women suffering from the most common causes of death: cardiovascular disease, hemorrhage, hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, venous thromboembolism, infection, and other medical conditions.

SUMMARY

A growing number of countries and organizations have established systems for comprehensive maternal death surveillance and confidential review to ensure that each death counts and that the lessons learned are widely disseminated to improve future maternal safety.