OB Hemorrhage Toolkit V3.0 (2022)

The Improving Health Care Response to Obstetric Hemorrhage toolkit was developed by the Obstetric Hemorrhage Task Force to assist obstetric providers, clinical staff, hospitals and healthcare organizations with timely recognition and response to hemorrhage. Obstetric hemorrhage remains a leading and preventable cause of maternal mortality and severe maternal morbidity, a life-threatening complication during pregnancy.

Formerly published in 2010 and 2015 together with the California Department of Public Health, this is the second update to the Hemorrhage Toolkit to incorporate the latest evidence and best practices.

Throughout the revised toolkit, we have included resources to address inequities in quality of care and shared the voices of women and their lived experiences with hemorrhage. Management guidelines are in alignment with the 2021 Joint Commission Standards for Maternal Safety and National Partnership for Maternal Safety Hemorrhage Bundle.

Key Changes in the revised toolkit include:

  • Expanded guidance on obstetric hemorrhage risk factor assessment to include parameters for continued re-evaluation of risk and an updated Obstetric Hemorrhage Risk Screen Table

  • Increased emphasis on the importance of assessment for concealed hemorrhage 

  • Updated medication protocols and recommendations on the use of tranexamic acid (TXA) as an adjunctive therapy

  • Multiple new chapters, including:

    • Management of Iron Deficiency Anemia

    • Secondary Obstetric Hemorrhage and Readmission

    • Implementing and Sustaining Maternal Quality, Safety and Performance Improvement for Obstetric Hemorrhage

The toolkit is available to download after logging into CMQCC's website. If you do not already have a CMQCC Account, you will need to complete a brief survey to initialize an account.

Download:

Improving Health Care Response to Obstetric Hemorrhage Toolkit, Version 3.0 (2022)

Errata: Table Chart Appendix C and Flow Chart Appendix D erroneously depicted that methylergonovine is given in Stage 1 as a standard practice. The intention is to perform the interventions listed in Stage 1, but not hesitate to MOVE ON to a 2nd level uterotonic if there is no response to Stage 1 measures. Methylergonovine would be the preferred choice if the patient is not hypertensive due to the lower cost and relative lack of side effects, however, carboprost is acceptable for patients that do not have a history of asthma. Misoprostol should be reserved for patients that have contraindications to the other two medications. Both appendices have been edited to reflect this workflow.

Informational Webinar Recording and Webinar Slideset 

Individual sections of the toolkit are also available to download by clicking on the links below:

Funding Acknowledgement

This toolkit is an update to the Improving Health Care Response to Obstetric Hemorrhage, V2.0 Toolkit, funded by the California Department of Public Health in 2015; supported by Title V funds.