Interdisciplinary Skills Review Program to Improve Team Responses During Postpartum Hemorrhage

To develop an interdisciplinary, interactive, skills review program to improve team responses during a postpartum hemorrhage (PPH).

Online didactic modules in combination with an interdisciplinary skills program consisting of seven hemorrhage-related stations.

The project was conducted in the Women's Health Department in a quaternary-care Magnet- and Baby Friendly-designated academic medical center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Women cared for at this center have comorbidities that place them at greater risk for PPH. A need was identified to implement a multidisciplinary and comprehensive program to assess hemorrhage risk and appropriately recognize and intervene with all PPHs in this setting.

The 276 participants, including registered nurses, obstetric and family medicine attending physicians and residents, advanced practice nurses, and ancillary staff in the hospital's Women's Health Department, completed the initial obstetric hemorrhage program.

The program included online didactic modules, seven interdisciplinary skills stations led by trained nurses and providers, and an in situ simulation. Successful completion of the online modules was a prerequisite for participation in the skills stations. All participants completed a written program evaluation at the conclusion of the program.

Results of the postassessment survey indicated that participants rated the program 3.94 of 4.00 for overall effectiveness to improve interdisciplinary team responses to PPH. Comments were overwhelmingly positive, and participants expressed increased confidence and knowledge related to PPH after completion of the program.

An interdisciplinary program that included online didactic modules, interactive skills stations, and simulation improved team confidence and responses to PPH.