Severe Hypertension in Pregnancy: Progress Made and Future Directions for Patient Safety, Quality Improvement, and Implementation of a Patient Safety Bundle

Abstract

Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy account for approximately 5% of pregnancy-related deaths in the United States and are one of the leading causes of maternal morbidity. Focus on improving patient outcomes in the setting of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy has increased in recent years, and quality improvement initiatives have been implemented across the United States. This paper discusses patient safety and quality initiatives for hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, with an emphasis on progress made and a patient safety tool: the Alliance for Innovation on Maternal Health’s Severe Hypertension in Pregnancy patient safety bundle. Future patient safety and quality directions for the treatment of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy will be reviewed.