Major obstetric haemorrhage: portrait of "near miss" and risk management-based optimisation of obstetric techniques and telemedicine technologies

Abstract

Aim. To identify measures for the improvement of obstetric techniques and telemedicine technologies in women with major obstetric haemorrhage.

Materials and Methods. We analyzed medical documentation of 54 women in Altai Krai who experienced major obstetric haemorrhage within 28- 36 weeks of gestation before (2008-2012) and after (2013-2017) implementation of risk management using the telemedicine “Registry of pregnancies” technology.

Results. Implementation of risk management principles led to the admission of women with major obstetric haemorrhage exclusively to specialised hospitals in contrast to the preceding period. Further, it was associated with a higher prevalence of caesarean sections (from 55.6% to 96.3%) in women with major obstetric haemorrhage due to an increase in cases of complete placenta previa or placenta increta. In 73.0% of cases, such patients delivered in specialised hospitals where autologous blood transfusion or intrauterine balloon tamponade could be applied. In spite of increase in frequency of major obstetric haemorrhages, risk management reduced their severity by decreasing blood loss and, hence, the risk of posthaemorrhagic complications and blood transfusion side effects.

Conclusions. Risk management-based strategy for optimising obstetric care by telemedicine technologies leads to the admission of high-risk, even “near miss” patients in specialised hospitals that is particularly efficient in regions with low population density and a large network of primary healthcare facilities.