The National Partnership for Maternal Safety

Area of Science:

• Obstetrics and Gynecology
• Public Health Initiatives
• Patient Safety

Background:

• Rising rates of maternal mortality and morbidity in the US necessitate urgent action.
• Existing healthcare systems face challenges in consistently managing high-risk obstetric conditions.
• A coordinated, national approach is required to address preventable maternal deaths.

Purpose of the Study:

• To introduce the National Partnership for Maternal Safety (NPMS).
• To outline the NPMS's initial priority areas for improving maternal safety.
• To detail the formation and collaborative structure of this national initiative.

Main Methods:

• Development of three priority bundles targeting common causes of maternal death: obstetric hemorrhage, severe hypertension in pregnancy, and peripartum venous thromboembolism.
• Identification of three unit-improvement bundles for obstetric services, focusing on early warning signs, internal case reviews, and support for adverse outcomes.
• Establishment of a collaborative, broad-based partnership involving multiple stakeholders.

Main Results:

• The National Partnership for Maternal Safety has been established as a collaborative initiative.
• Three priority bundles addressing critical obstetric emergencies have been identified.
• Three unit-improvement bundles are proposed to enhance obstetric service quality and safety.

Conclusions:

• The NPMS represents a significant step towards reducing maternal mortality and morbidity in the United States.
• The identified bundles provide a framework for standardized, evidence-based care in high-risk obstetric situations.
• Continued collaboration and implementation of these bundles are crucial for improving outcomes in maternal healthcare.