Managing the risks of sepsis in pregnancy

Best Pract Res Clin Obstet Gynaecol. 2013 Aug;27(4):583-95. doi: 10.1016/j.bpobgyn.2013.04.003. Epub 2013 Apr 29.

Abstract

Sepsis is a major cause of maternal mortality and morbidity worldwide. In the UK, sepsis is now the leading cause of direct maternal deaths. Raising awareness among healthcare professionals about the risks of maternal sepsis and the importance of early management is urgently needed. The challenge in the management of maternal sepsis is the translation of the vast knowledge gained from sequential confidential enquiries into maternal death and research findings, into clinical practice, to ensure an improvement in patient quality of care and maternal mortality and morbidity. In this chapter, I give an overview of the management of the risks of sepsis, and discuss implementation strategies that may reduce these risks.

Keywords: RADICAL framework; maternal morbidity; maternal mortality; quality improvement (QI); risk management; sepsis in pregnancy; septic shock.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Female
  • Humans
  • Maternal Mortality
  • Patient Safety / standards*
  • Pregnancy
  • Pregnancy Complications, Infectious / diagnosis*
  • Pregnancy Complications, Infectious / microbiology
  • Pregnancy Complications, Infectious / mortality
  • Pregnancy Complications, Infectious / therapy*
  • Quality Improvement
  • Risk Factors
  • Risk Management / methods*
  • Sepsis / diagnosis*
  • Sepsis / microbiology
  • Sepsis / mortality
  • Sepsis / therapy*