Introduction of a Standardized Maternity Early Warning System: Indicative Data From a Before-and-After Study at a Large Pilot Site Before National Rollout in Aotearoa New Zealand

Abstract

(Anaesthesia. 2021;76:1600–1606) While there are recognition and response standards in place to decrease preventable adverse outcomes for nonpregnant adult patients and there is maternity-specific observation scoring system (MEOWS) in place for obstetric patients in the United Kingdom. An in-depth multidisciplinary review of study cases in Aotearoa New Zealand showed inadequate recognition and response standards may have significantly impacted maternal morbidity. A major tertiary hospital in Auckland piloted a modified version of the Aotearoa New Zealand early warning system (NZEWS) to promote better recognition and response of deteriorating pregnant women (NZMEWS). This study aimed to determine the efficacy of NZMEWS shown in the number of code blue and code red (cardiorespiratory arrests and very unwell women need an emergency response team, respectively) comparing the occurrence of codes before and after NZMEWS implementation.