The Physician-Patient Alliance for Health & Safety presented a draft of safety recommendations targeting venous thromboembolism (commonly referred to as blood clots) for women having cesarean and vaginal delivery, and the extension of prophylaxis post discharge.

According to the CDC, the maternal death rate in the U.S. has more than doubled since 1987.

Mary D’Alton, MD, professor of obstetrics and gynecology in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Columbia University) believes that common and preventable causes of maternal death need to be addressed.

“Though research shows that certain patient populations are especially at risk for pregnancy-related deaths and complications, no woman is immune from them,” she says.  “Especially in the first few days after delivery, otherwise healthy patients are at risk for hemorrhage, hypertension and pulmonary embolism. Pulmonary embolism lends itself to prevention measures that have been shown to work in other countries. Here at Columbia University Medical Center and New York-Presbyterian Hospital, we advocate the use of sequential compression devices as well as heparin for all patients undergoing cesarean delivery. The challenge before us is to reduce preventable maternal deaths and morbidity. It’s absolutely vital that hospitals adopt standardized preventative and treatment measures for all pregnant women. Multiple national organizations are collaborating to achieve this goal, and it is hoped that all healthcare facilities will participate in this effort.”

A draft of  VTE safety recommendations was presented at the annual conference of the National Perinatal Association conference which took place November 7-9, 2014.

Michael Wong, JD, founder and executive director of the Physician-Patient Alliance, says that the presentation was made to encourage comments and responses from healthcare professionals involved with caring for the health and well-being of mothers and infants:

“The positive reception by healthcare professionals that work closely to improve the health and well-being of mothers and infants was very encouraging,” says Mr. Wong.

For a copy of the draft VTE Safety Recommendations, please click VTE recommendations. Please note that this is a draft and does not represent a final product, and should not be taken to necessarily represent the final opinion of the VTE panel assembled by PPAHS.

• Blood Clots