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Ashlesha Patel, MD, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, John H Stroger Jr Hospital / UMKC, 26 N26 Lakeview #1503, Chicago, IL 60614, 773-832-9911, ashleshapatel16@aol.com, Stacie Geller, PhD, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology (MC 808), University of Illinois, College of Medicine, 820 S. Wood Street, Chicago, IL 60612, Shivaprasad Goudar, MD, Dept of Physiology, JN Medical college, 590 010 Belgaum, Karnataka, Belgaum, India, Stanley A. Edlavitch, PhD, MA, Epidemiology, University of Missouri School of Medicine, 2220 Holmes, Rm 250, Kansas City, MO 64108, Bhalachandra KodKany, MD, Dept of Obstetrics and Gynecology, JN Medical College, Belgaum Karnataka 590010, Belgaum, India, and Richard Derman, MD, Univeristy of Missouri KC, 2411 Holmes St, Kansas City, MO 64108.
Background Postpartum hemorrhage is the leading cause of maternal mortality globally. Throughout the world, visual estimation is the prevalent method for assessing postpartum blood loss. This method is highly inaccurate. In areas with limited resources and treatment options, inaccurate estimates of blood loss may contribute to increased maternal morbidity and mortality. Objective To perform a study comparing blood loss collected in a calibrated drape versus visual estimation of blood loss. Methods 123 patients were recruited for the study at the District hospital in Belgaum, India. Patients were randomized to either postpartum blood collected by the calibrated drape or by visual assessment. Results The mean blood loss in the whole population of 123 cases was 253.37, in the visual group(n=61) was 203.11 and in the drape group(n=62) was 302.82.The difference in estimation was 99.71ml. That means that on the average the visual estimate of blood loss appears to be 33% lower than that by the drape. Conclusions This pilot study demonstrates that the calibrated drape may be more accurate in detecting postpartum blood loss. This study demonstrates that the visual estimation is 33% lower than that by the drape. Further investigation would need to examine a larger sample size with a broader range of blood loss to confirm findings for clinically significant blood loss. Findings may have a strong impact on delivery practices globally. Given limited access to treatment options in rural areas, more accurate assessment of blood loss can allow for earlier identification of complications and referral to appropriate facilities.
Learning Objectives:
Keywords: Rural Health Care Delivery System, Maternal Morbidity
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.