Findings From Severe Maternal Morbidity Surveillance and Review in Maryland

Abstract

ImportanceIn the US, more than 50 000 women experience severe maternal morbidity (SMM) each year, and the SMM rate more than doubled during the past 25 years. In response, professional organizations called for birthing facilities to routinely identify and review SMM events and identify prevention opportunities.ObjectiveTo examine SMM levels, primary causes, and factors associated with the preventability of SMM using Maryland’s SMM surveillance and review program.Design, Setting, and ParticipantsThis cross-sectional study included pregnant and postpartum patients at 42 days or less after delivery who were hospitalized at 1 of 6 birthing hospitals in Maryland between August 1, 2020, and November 30, 2021. Hospital-based SMM surveillance was conducted through a detailed review of medical records.ExposuresHospitalization during pregnancy or within 42 days post partum.Main Outcomes and MeasuresThe main outcomes were admission to an intensive care unit, having at least 4 U of red blood cells transfused, and/or having COVID-19 infection requiring inpatient hospital care.ResultsA total of 192 SMM events were identified and reviewed. Patients with SMM had a mean [SD] age of 31 [6.49] years; 9 [4.7%] were Asian, 27 [14.1%] were Hispanic, 83 [43.2%] were non-Hispanic Black, and 68 [35.4%] were non-Hispanic White. Obstetric hemorrhage was the leading primary cause of SMM (83 [43.2%]), followed by COVID-19 infection (57 [29.7%]) and hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (17 [8.9%]). The SMM rate was highest among Hispanic patients (154.9 per 10 000 deliveries), primarily driven by COVID-19 infection. The rate of SMM among non-Hispanic Black patients was nearly 50% higher than for non-Hispanic White patients (119.9 vs 65.7 per 10 000 deliveries). The SMM outcome assessed could have been prevented in 61 events (31.8%). Clinician-level factors and interventions in the antepartum period were most frequently cited as potentially altering the SMM outcome. Practices that were performed well most often pertained to hospitals’ readiness and adequate response to managing pregnancy complications. Recommendations for care improvement focused mainly on timely recognition and rapid response to such.Conclusions and RelevanceThe findings of this cross-sectional study, which used hospital-based SMM surveillance and review beyond the mere exploration of administrative data, offers opportunities for identifying valuable quality improvement strategies to reduce SMM. Immediate strategies to reduce SMM in Maryland should target its most common causes and address factors associated with preventability identified at individual hospitals.

Real-World Utilization of an Intrauterine, Vacuum-Induced, Hemorrhage-Control Device

“…1,2 Severe maternal morbidity (SMM) rates have increased in the United States, with PPH as the most common cause (2.7% in 2000, 4.3% in 2019). [3][4][5][6][7] Morbidity and mortality related to PPH often are deemed preventable with timely recognition and treatment, leading to development of national patient safety bundles that outline standards for PPH readiness, prevention, recognition, and response. 8 Despite these efforts, the rise in PPH-associated morbidity highlights an unmet need for innovative treatment options to effectively manage PPH and prevent SMM.…”

Centering Equity and Fostering Stakeholder Collaboration and Trust—Pillars of the Maternal Health Innovation Program in Maryland

“…Notably, it was Maryland HB-837/2020, 20 for which MDMOM staff provided testimony, that required the MDH in collaboration with MDMOM to study SMM. We started with a pilot in 6 of the 32 birthing hospitals in Maryland, 16 , 17 and surveillance now includes 20 hospitals, covering about 70% of births in the state. 18…”