Obstetric Hemorrhage ECHO: On a Mission to Reduce Postpartum Hemorrhages in Utah

The Utah Department of Health was awarded a grant from the Association of Maternal and Child Health Programs (AMCHP) in an effort to address the third leading cause of maternal mortality in Utah-postpartum hemorrhaging. The first aim of the initiative was to improve the maternal mortality review process in Utah. The Utah Department of Health (UDOH) accomplished this by expanding their Maternal Mortality Review Committee to include guidance from multidisciplinary experts and incorporating a new case review form, adopted from the Ohio Department of Health. The second aim of the initiative was to work with Utah hospitals to implement components of the OB Hemorrhage Safety Bundle. Utah used its grant funds to hold an in-person project launch meeting with staff from over 50% of delivering hospitals and then hold fourteen bi-monthly learning sessions on the safety bundle components via Project ECHO. Positively affecting systemic public health issues like post partum hemorrhaging can be challenging for a variety of reasons ranging from changing the organizational culture at health facilities to affecting public attitudes and behaviors. Increasing access to education about best practices, however, is a step in the right direction.