​There exists a substantial knowledge gap among postpartum nurses when it comes to the risk of maternal morbidity and mortality, according to a study published August 15, 2017, in the American Journal of Maternal/Child Nursing. Approximately 700 women in the United States die from pregnancy- and childbirth-related causes each year, according to estimates from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. However, just 15% of the 372 nurses surveyed in the study correctly identified the maternal mortality rate and just 12% were aware that most maternal deaths occur in the days and weeks after delivery. Only 24% were able to identify the leading cause of maternal morbidity (heart-related problems). Nearly all (95%) of the respondents reported a correlation between postpartum education and mortality, but only 72% strongly agreed that this education was a nurse's responsibility. Almost half of the respondents were unaware that maternal mortality is rising in the United States, and 19% indicated that they believed it had declined. "If [nurses] aren't aware that there's been a rise in maternal mortality, then it makes it less urgent to explain to women what the warning signs are," the study's co-author said in an August 17, 2017, article on NPR.org. According to the article, a checklist and script for nurses, as well as a one-page handout of warning signs to give to the mother can help bridge the education gap. "Something as simple as creating educational and training programs for nurses . . . can have a real impact," added an expert quoted in the article.

HRC Recommends: Although most mothers experience labor and delivery without significant incident, every pregnancy and birth carries risk of an adverse outcome for the mother. It is critically important that healthcare providers be aware of the risks that exist specific to pregnant or postpartum patients. Organizations should enlist risk and quality staff to help develop perinatal patient safety programs addressing needs determined by the organization's event data.