Development and Assessment of Pictorial Guide for Improved Accuracy of Visual Blood Loss Estimation in Cesarean Delivery. Issue 5 (October 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Homcha, Brittany E.; Mets, Elbert J.; Goldenberg, Michael D.F.; Kong, Lan; Vaida, Sonia J.
• Is Part Of: Simulation in healthcare. Volume 12:Issue 5(2017)
• Publication Date: 2017-10
• Subjects: EBL -- estimated blood loss -- cesarean delivery -- postpartum hemorrhage -- visual blood -- loss estimation -- pictorial guide; Simulated patients -- Periodicals; 362.1
• DOI: 10.1097/SIH.0000000000000246
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1559-2332

Abstract

Abstract : Introduction: Estimated blood loss for surgical procedures performed via visual estimation is known to be an inaccurate method. Blood loss estimation is further complicated during cesarean delivery (CD) by a large volume loss for a short period as well as the presence of amniotic fluid. We hypothesized that a pictorial guide depicting premeasured blood volumes and materials commonly used in a CD would improve clinician accuracy in estimated blood loss. Methods: A simulated CD scene was used to assess the ability of clinicians to estimate the amount of blood lost by a CD patient. Accuracy of the estimates was assessed before and after they had access to the pictorial guide created for the study. Results: Before the intervention, 52% of participants estimated more than 25% above or below actual blood loss volume. With use of the guide, clinicians became more accurate at blood loss estimation. After the intervention, the number of participants estimating within 5% of the actual volume increased from 7% before to 24% ( P = 0.033). Conclusions: An institution-specific pictorial guide is effective at improving the accuracy of visual blood loss estimation in a simulation and may help improve clinical care in CD.