Incidence and management of postpartum haemorrhage following the dissemination of guidelines in a network of 16 maternity units in France.

BACKGROUND

In France obstetric haemorrhage is the leading cause of maternal death. The aim of this study was to evaluate if the management of postpartum haemorrhage at individual maternity units followed guidelines established by the Aurore Network.

METHODS

A descriptive study was carried out in 16 maternity units of the Aurore network between October 2004 and September 2005. Cases and data were prospectively identified and collected.

RESULTS

Postpartum haemorrhage occurred in 1144 of 21 350 deliveries, an overall incidence of 5.4+/-0.3%. Of these, 316 cases were rated as severe. Diagnosis was clinical in 82.5% of severe cases and 77.5% of non-severe cases; the remainder were detected by postpartum laboratory tests. Uterotonic agents were given prophylactically to 46.7% of the 896 patients following vaginal delivery. In cases in which postpartum haemorrhage was due to uterine atony, 83.1% of women underwent examination of the uterine cavity and 96.3% received oxytocin, which proved therapeutic. Sulprostone was administered to 39.5% cases of persistent postpartum haemorrhage. A uterotonic was given prophylactically to 85.4% of the 247 patients at caesarean delivery. Oxytocin was therapeutic in 94.8% of cases of uterine atony. Sulprostone was administered in 84.4% of cases of persistent postpartum haemorrhage.

CONCLUSION

The regional guidelines issued by the Aurore network were only partially followed. More effective guideline dissemination and implementation is required to improve the prevention and management of confirmed haemorrhage.