WSHA offers expert support for rural hospitals to improve readiness, recognition, response to obstetric hemorrhage

September 17, 2024

Obstetric hemorrhage remains a leading and preventable cause of maternal mortality and severe maternal morbidity (CMQCC). WSHA is currently offering expert support for rural hospital members to improve their readiness, recognition and response to obstetric hemorrhage. After completing a facility-specific readiness assessment/gap analysis, we will support your site in developing a strategic plan. This will include identifying the most effective approaches for implementation and coordination of a simulation, all as a complimentary WSHA member benefit.

Roughly 3-to-5% of women will experience a postpartum hemorrhage (PPH), with rates significantly increasing over the past 20 years (Obstet Gynecol, 2023). Furthermore, racial, ethnic, and geographic disparities intensify the nation’s maternal health crisis. Black and Indigenous women die from pregnancy-related causes at a rate two-to-four times higher and experience severe maternal morbidity at a rate nearly two times higher than their White, Asian Pacific Islander, and Hispanic counterparts (MCHB, 2024)

Risks associated with PPH include, but are not limited to placental abnormalities, prolonged labor, hypertension, overdistention of the uterus (multiple pregnancy or polyhydramnios), infection or assisted delivery.

The “four T’s” mnemonic helps identify and manage the four primary causes of postpartum hemorrhage:

  • Tone: Uterine atony
  • Trauma: Laceration, hematoma, inversion, rupture
  • Tissue: Retained tissue or invasive placenta
  • Thrombin: Coagulopathy

Effective, team-based care is vital for reducing morbidity and mortality from postpartum hemorrhage, regardless of the cause. One effective method to enhance team-based care is using simulation training. The role of focused simulation plays a key role in both outcomes-based as well as competency-based education (StatPearls, 2024). Clinical simulation encounters can help you learn essential skills for delivery, postpartum hemorrhage, instrument deliveries, shoulder dystocia, fetal malpresentation, massive blood transfusion protocols, disseminated intravascular coagulation and amniotic fluid emboli. Simulation offers numerous benefits, such as enhancing knowledge, improving patient outcomes, boosting team performance, anticipating errors, practicing difficult skills and reducing stress.

Let’s harness the power of simulation to boost skills and knowledge! It’s essential for achieving both results-focused and competency-based education. Ready to dive in and make a difference? Please contact Amy Anderson at amya@wsha.org for more information. (Amy Anderson)

Affiliates

Contact Us

Washington State Hospital Association
999 Third Avenue
Suite 1400
Seattle, WA 98104

Map / Directions

206.281.7211 phone
206.283.6122 fax

info@wsha.org

Staff List