Quantification of Peri-partum Blood Loss: Training Module and Clot Conversion Factor

Area of Science:

• Obstetrics and Gynecology
• Maternal Health
• Medical Device Development

Background:

• Postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) is a leading cause of maternal mortality worldwide.
• Accurate estimation of blood loss is crucial for timely PPH management.
• Current visual assessment methods are often inaccurate and subjective.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop an objective and accurate method for assessing peri-partum blood loss.
• To evaluate the benefits of this new method on healthcare professionals' estimation accuracy.
• To reduce maternal mortality associated with hemorrhage.

Main Methods:

• A prospective study conducted over six months at Cama Albless Hospital, Mumbai.
• Utilized plastic drapes, measuring jars, and gravimetric methods for quantifying blood and clots.
• Developed a novel clot conversion factor to validate visual assessments.
• Implemented a training module for healthcare professionals.

Main Results:

• Visual assessment of blood loss by healthcare professionals was found to be unreliable.
• The developed training module demonstrated a beneficial impact on visual assessment accuracy.
• The novel clot conversion factor proved to be a useful tool for objective blood loss assessment.

Conclusions:

• Routine quantitative measurement of blood loss is recommended over visual assessment.
• Training sessions and readily available training modules can significantly improve estimation accuracy.
• Implementing objective measurement methods can help prevent hemorrhage-related maternal deaths.