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

Abstract

ObjectiveTo 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. DesignQuality improvement baseline assessment survey. SettingHospitals (N = 95) in New Jersey and Georgia. ParticipantsKey informants were clinicians who were members of their hospitals' obstetric teams and were recognized as knowledgeable about their hospitals' postpartum hemorrhage policies. MethodsAn electronic survey was sent by e-mail to each identified hospital's key informant. ResultsThe 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. ConclusionObjective measures of preparedness are needed, because perceptions of preparedness were inconsistent with the number of preparedness elements reported.