Quality Improvement Opportunities Identified Through Case Review of Pregnancy-Related Deaths From Obstetric Hemorrhage.

Objective: To analyze quality improvement opportunities (QIOs) identified through review of cases of maternal death from obstetric hemorrhage by the California Pregnancy-Associated Mortality Review Committee.

Design: Qualitative descriptive using thematic analysis.

Sample: A total of 159 QIOs identified from 33 cases of pregnancy-related deaths from obstetric hemorrhage in California from 2002 to 2007.

Methods: We coded and thematically organized the 159 QIOs using three of the four domains commonly applied in quality improvement initiatives for maternal health care: Readiness, Recognition, and Response. Data did not include reporting issues, so the Reporting domain was excluded from the analysis.

Results: Thematic findings indicated that facility Readiness would be improved through practice standardization, better organization of equipment to treat hemorrhage, and planning for care of women with risk factors for hemorrhage. Recognition of hemorrhage by health care providers could be improved through accurate assessment of blood loss, risk factors, and early clinical signs of deterioration. Provider Response could be improved through reducing delays in administering blood, seeking consultations, transferring women to higher levels of care within or outside of the facility, and moving on to other treatments if a woman does not respond to current treatment.

Conclusion: Hemorrhage is the most preventable cause of maternal death in California. Morbidity and mortality from hemorrhage can be prevented if birth facilities and maternity care clinicians align local practices with national safety guidelines.