Visual estimation of blood loss versus quantitative blood loss for maternal outcomes related to obstetrical hemorrhage

Abstract

Background This study was undertaken to evaluate if there are differences between visual estimation of blood loss (EBL) and quantitative blood loss (QBL) for maternal outcomes related to obstetrical hemorrhage. Methods This retrospective study compared EBL (n = 500) to QBL (n = 501) for outcomes of length of stay, readmission within 30 days of discharge, percent receiving blood transfusions, time between delivery to receiving blood transfusion, and postpartum hemoglobin level. Results The QBL group had a significantly lower mean length of stay than the EBL group (2.6 vs 3.2 days, P < 0.001). Multivariate linear regression analysis adjusting for relevant covariates had a similar finding of lower length of stay for QBL vs EBL (B = −0.13, SE = 0.01, P < 0.001). Readmission within 30 days, blood transfusion, time to transfusion since delivery, and postpartum hemoglobin did not significantly differ between the QBL and EBL groups. Conclusion We recommend that clinicians adopt QBL over EBL as standard practice since QBL is associated with lower length of stay and does not negatively impact other clinical outcomes.