Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 20, 2025

A Saline/Bipolar Radiofrequency Energy Device As an Adjunct for Hemostasis in Solid Organ Injury/Trauma
Published on: July 28, 2020
Help a mother out: The impact of acute care surgeon response in postpartum hemorrhage
Janet S Lee1, Gregory Day2, Daniel Valentino2
1Department of Trauma and Acute Care Surgery, University of Colorado Health Memorial Hospital, Colorado Springs, CO, USA; Department of Surgery, University of Colorado, Aurora, CO, USA.
Introduction:
A Code White (CW) activation is a hospital-wide alert for postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) and acute care surgeons (ACS) were added to the response team to assist in resuscitation. A multidisciplinary training program was also implemented. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of ACS involvement and training on maternal outcomes.
Methods:
A retrospective review was performed on all CW activations from 1/1/2015-8/31/2022. Three groups-pre-ACS response, ACS response, and ACS response + training (R&T)-were compared.
Results:
218 patients had CW activations. ACS response increased MTP activations (50.0%vs76.5%vs76.2%, p = 0.014) and TXA administration (50.0%vs96.5%vs93.3%, p < 0.0001). The ACS R&T had the highest ACS presence (53.6%vs72.9%vs96.2%, p < 0.0001), shortest operation (99 vs 67 vs 53min, p = 0.002), lowest crystalloid use (2000 vs 1110 vs 800 ml, p = 0.003), and lowest transfusion requirements. Mortality decreased from 17.9% in pre-ACS to 2.4% in ACS response and 0% in ACS R&T (p < 0.0001).
Conclusion:
ACS assistance in CW activations and multidisciplinary PPH education led to the prevention of maternal mortality. ACS are a valuable resource in this unique population.
Related Concept Videos
Aneurysm IV: Nursing Management
Peripheral Artery Disease V: Postoperative Nursing Management
Acute Coronary Syndrome IV: Interprofessional Care
Cardiomyopathy VII: Pre and Post Operative Nursing Management
SBAR II: Application of SBAR
SBAR Report from a Nurse to a Health Care Provider
S: "Hello, Dr. Smith. This is Jane, RN, from the Med Surg unit. I am calling to tell you about Ms. White in Room 210, who is experiencing increased pain and redness at her incision site. Her recent...
Endoscopic Procedures IV: Sigmoidoscopy and Laproscopy
Sigmoidoscopy
Sigmoidoscopy is a diagnostic procedure that uses a flexible sigmoidoscope equipped with a light source and camera to examine the rectum and sigmoid colon. The procedure involves inserting the tube through the anus...

