Escalating Care on Labor and Delivery

Elisa C Walsh; Emily E Naoum

doi:10.1016/j.anclin.2021.08.002

Escalating Care on Labor and Delivery

Anesthesiol Clin. 2021 Dec;39(4):667-685. doi: 10.1016/j.anclin.2021.08.002.

Authors

Elisa C Walsh¹, Emily E Naoum²

Affiliations

¹ Department of Anesthesia, Critical Care and Pain Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, 55 Fruit Street, GRB 444, Boston, MA 02114, USA.
² Department of Anesthesia, Critical Care and Pain Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, 55 Fruit Street, GRB 444, Boston, MA 02114, USA. Electronic address: [email protected].

PMID: 34776103
DOI: 10.1016/j.anclin.2021.08.002

Abstract

Maternal morbidity and mortality are rising due in part to the rising prevalence of chronic illness, socioeconomic and racial disparities, and advanced maternal age. Prevention of maternal adverse outcomes requires prompt escalation of care to facilities with appropriate capabilities including intensive care services. The development of obstetrical-specific risk assessment tools and protocolized care for the most common causes of maternal intensive care unit (ICU) admission has helped to reduce preventable complications. However, significant work remains to address barriers to the escalation of maternal care and minimize delays in appropriate management.

Keywords: Critical care; Escalation of care / Escalating care; Intensive care; Levels of maternal care; Maternal health; Maternal mortality; Severe maternal morbidity.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Female
Humans
Intensive Care Units
Labor, Obstetric*
Maternal Health Services*
Pregnancy
Pregnancy Complications*
Racial Groups