James J Morong1,2, Jane K Martin1,3, Robert S Ware4,5, Paul B Colditz6, Alfred G Robichaux1,7. 1. The University of Queensland School of Medicine, Ochsner Clinical School, New Orleans, LA. 2. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL. 3. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Ochsner Clinic Foundation, New Orleans, LA. 4. Menzies Health Institute Queensland, Griffith University, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. 5. The University of Queensland Child Health Research Centre, The University of Queensland School of Medicine, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. 6. The University of Queensland Centre for Clinical Research, The University of Queensland Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. 7. Department of Maternal Fetal Medicine, Ochsner Clinic Foundation, New Orleans, LA.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: It is well documented that the American maternal mortality ratio has increased during the years 2000-2015. The Australian maternal mortality ratio, in contrast, has decreased during the same time period, a trend common among most Western countries. METHODS: This study was a retrospective cohort study of cases of in-hospital maternal deaths in the Ochsner Health System (Louisiana, United States) and the Queensland Health System (Australia) from 1995 to 2013. The aim was to determine if American and Australian women have a similar rate of preventable maternal death and if the deaths were attributable to the same factors. A multidisciplinary team assessed medical records to determine preventability. RESULTS: Sixteen eligible medical records were identified in the Ochsner Health System and 15 in the Queensland Health System. In the American cohort, deaths in the private insurance group (n=5) were least likely to be preventable (P=0.003). Australian maternal deaths were less likely to occur among women with late or no prenatal care than American maternal deaths; the risk difference was 44.5% for all deaths (95% confidence interval [CI]=9.7%, 79.4%; P=0.03) and 50.0% for potentially preventable deaths (95% CI=9.3%, 90.6%; P=0.04). CONCLUSION: Women from Louisiana, United States and Queensland, Australia have similar rates of preventable maternal death. No statistically significant factors explained trends in Australian maternal death; American maternal mortality was significantly associated with point of entry into prenatal care, likely influenced by insurance status. Furthermore, the majority of deaths in this group were complicated by hospital systems-based factors.
BACKGROUND: It is well documented that the American maternal mortality ratio has increased during the years 2000-2015. The Australian maternal mortality ratio, in contrast, has decreased during the same time period, a trend common among most Western countries. METHODS: This study was a retrospective cohort study of cases of in-hospital maternal deaths in the Ochsner Health System (Louisiana, United States) and the Queensland Health System (Australia) from 1995 to 2013. The aim was to determine if American and Australian women have a similar rate of preventable maternal death and if the deaths were attributable to the same factors. A multidisciplinary team assessed medical records to determine preventability. RESULTS: Sixteen eligible medical records were identified in the Ochsner Health System and 15 in the Queensland Health System. In the American cohort, deaths in the private insurance group (n=5) were least likely to be preventable (P=0.003). Australian maternal deaths were less likely to occur among women with late or no prenatal care than American maternal deaths; the risk difference was 44.5% for all deaths (95% confidence interval [CI]=9.7%, 79.4%; P=0.03) and 50.0% for potentially preventable deaths (95% CI=9.3%, 90.6%; P=0.04). CONCLUSION:Women from Louisiana, United States and Queensland, Australia have similar rates of preventable maternal death. No statistically significant factors explained trends in Australian maternal death; American maternal mortality was significantly associated with point of entry into prenatal care, likely influenced by insurance status. Furthermore, the majority of deaths in this group were complicated by hospital systems-based factors.
Entities:
Keywords:
Australia; United States; delivery of health care; epidemiology; maternal death; maternal mortality
Authors: Stacie E Geller; Marci G Adams; Michelle A Kominiarek; Judith U Hibbard; Loraine K Endres; Suzanne M Cox; Sarah J Kilpatrick Journal: Am J Obstet Gynecol Date: 2007-01 Impact factor: 8.661
Authors: Stacie E Geller; Deborah Rosenberg; Suzanne M Cox; Monique L Brown; Louise Simonson; Catherine A Driscoll; Sarah J Kilpatrick Journal: Am J Obstet Gynecol Date: 2004-09 Impact factor: 8.661