Alliance for Innovation on Maternal Health: Consensus Bundle on Sepsis in Obstetric Care

Area of Science:

• Obstetrics and Gynecology
• Public Health
• Patient Safety

Background:

• Sepsis is a leading cause of maternal mortality in the U.S.
• Disproportionately high sepsis rates observed in Black, Asian/Pacific Islander, and American Indian/Alaska Native obstetric patients.
• Maternal mortality review committees identify preventable deaths due to delayed recognition, treatment, and care escalation.

Discussion:

• The "Sepsis in Obstetric Care" patient safety bundle offers guidance for coordinated, multidisciplinary care.
• Aims to prevent infection and enable early recognition and treatment to avert sepsis progression.
• Developed by the Alliance for Innovation on Maternal Health (AIM) as a core patient safety bundle.

Key Insights:

• The bundle is structured into five domains: Readiness, Recognition and Prevention, Response, Reporting and Systems Learning, and Respectful, Equitable, and Supportive Care.
• Emphasizes best practices for respectful, equitable, and supportive care for all patients.
• Integrates health equity considerations across all domains of the patient safety bundle.

Outlook:

• Implementation of the "Sepsis in Obstetric Care" bundle can reduce maternal mortality and morbidity.
• Promotes standardized, evidence-based practices for sepsis management in obstetric settings.
• Enhances health equity by addressing disparities in sepsis outcomes.