Joint Commission Issues Alert About Preventing Maternal Death

One of the reasons that researchers speculate the number of maternal deaths is climbing is the growing number of pregnant women with pre-existing health conditions, such as high blood pressure, diabetes, and morbid obesity. Obesity brings with it a host of related health issues, which could factor into the maternal death rate.

The alert provides the following specific actions:

• Educate caregivers to inform their female patients with underlying medical conditions, such as high blood pressure, diabetes or morbid obesity, that if they become pregnant, they are putting their bodies at even greater risk. Additionally, offer them contraception and where to find preconceptual counseling.


• Identify specific protocols for how to handle changes in a pregnant woman’s vital signs, specifically for conditions such as hemorrhage and pre-eclampsia.


• Ensure that ED staff are aware that any woman who is admitted may be pregnant, whether she says so, appears so, or not. If staff are aware a woman is pregnant, they may prescribe different care.


• Refer pregnant women, who have high-risk conditions, to experienced prenatal care providers


• Ensure pneumatic compression devices are available for women undergoing a Cesarean section and are at risk for a pulmonary embolism. Pregnancy is in itself a risk factor for pulmonary embolism and venous thromboembolism.


• Evaluate patients at risk of thromboembolism for the use of low molecular weight heparin for care after delivery.