Abstract
(Acta Obstet Gynecol Scand. 2019;98:7–10) While maternal mortality in the United Kingdom is low compared with the rest of the world (4.65 per 100,000 live births, 2012-2014) there was no significant change in mortality between 2009-2011 and 2012-2014. Early warning systems (EWS) may be a tool for avoiding delays in identifying and treating acutely ill women. EWS use specific charts to monitor and record vital signs and clinical observations, using a color-coded system to indicate the need for a clinical response when an abnormal observation is recorded. This commentary examined the evidence regarding modified early obstetric warning scores (MEOWS) and current issues with the use of MEOWS.
Highlights
Maternal deaths in the UK are rare (4.65 per 100 000 live births in 2012‐2014) compared with the global burden (216 per 1 00 000 live births in 2015).1,2 99% of maternal mortalities occur in low‐income and middle‐income countries
There is a paucity of data from the low‐risk pregnant population needed to establish the normal distributions of parameters for ges‐ tation‐specific vital signs
This review found that compliance with recording observations varied and was related to training issues
Summary
Maternal deaths in the UK are rare (4.65 per 100 000 live births in 2012‐2014) compared with the global burden (216 per 1 00 000 live births in 2015).1,2 99% of maternal mortalities occur in low‐income and middle‐income countries. In this commentary we will examine the evidence base behind modified early obstetric warning scores (MEOWS) and discuss the issues surrounding current practice.
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