The Use of Electronic Maternal Early Warning Criteria to Improve Treatment of Hypertension in Hospitalized Obstetric Patients

ECU Author/Contributor (non-ECU co-authors, if there are any, appear on document)

Mary Bowers (Creator)

Institution

East Carolina University (ECU )

Web Site: http://www.ecu.edu/lib/

Abstract: Background: It is difficult to recognize that an obstetric patient's condition is deteriorating because normal physiological changes in pregnancy generate significant shifts in maternal vital signs. Elevated blood pressures can be treated to prevent clinical deterioration. Electronic maternal early warning criteria (EMEWC) were set for severe range blood pressure parameters for a systolic blood pressure of 160 mm Hg and a diastolic blood pressure of 110 mm Hg in a cohort of inpatient obstetric patients diagnosed with hypertension. Objective: Increase the rate of antihypertensive medication administration within one hour of the severe range blood pressure. Methods: Severe range blood pressure parameters were set in the Cerner® FetaLinkTM software and provided audible and visual alerts to nurses when the patient's condition deteriorated. Prompt recognition of the abnormal findings were evaluated by the timing of the administration of an antihypertensive medication. Results: A total of 103 obstetric patients met study criteria. Pre-intervention , 15.5% of obstetric patients were treated with an antihypertensive medication within one hour of a severe range blood pressure. Post-intervention , the rate of treatment increased to 21.9% , although not significant (p = .42). Conclusions: The use of EMEWC can assist with improving the recognition of clinical deterioration and prompt care interventions. Lessons learned from this quality improvement project can be applied to improving outcomes with other pregnancy complications.

Additional Information

Publication

Other

Language: English

Date: 2017

Keywords

Maternal Early Warning System; Clinical Deterioration

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