New York, NY - A new article published in Seminars in Perinatology describes the implementation of an obstetric sepsis bundle across a large academic hospital system and its positive impact on maternal health outcomes. The study, authored by Lejdisa Stanaj, Dena Goffman, Brianne Genow, Lynne Meccariello, Julie Ewing, and Isaac H. Michaels, focuses on a quality improvement initiative conducted at New York-Presbyterian aimed at addressing sepsis in pregnant and postpartum patients.

The article, titled “Implementing an obstetric sepsis bundle in a large academic hospital system,” outlines a series of measures designed to enhance the early detection and treatment of sepsis in maternal care. These included developing new obstetric-specific sepsis alert criteria, integrating electronic medical record (EMR) alerts, and introducing a structured management algorithm. The project, spanning eight hospital campuses, incorporated data analysis, simulation-based training, and ongoing refinement of alert systems to improve care responsiveness.

Evaluation of the initiative showed a reduction in preventable morbidity associated with sepsis and identified opportunities to further improve care, particularly in managing fever and chorioamnionitis. Challenges included balancing sensitivity and specificity in sepsis criteria and integrating trauma-informed care principles into clinical practice. The study highlights the value of tailored interventions and ongoing quality improvement efforts in improving maternal health and patient safety.

The full article is available online:
Implementing an obstetric sepsis bundle in a large academic hospital system

Article Citation:
Stanaj L, Goffman D, Genow B, Meccariello L, Ewing J, Michaels I. Semin Perinatol. 2024;48(7):151977. doi:10.1016/j.semperi.2024.151977.

This study provides valuable insights into strategies for improving maternal health outcomes and may serve as a reference for healthcare systems seeking to strengthen sepsis management practices.