Quantification of Blood Loss: AWHONN Practice Brief Number 13

Quantification of blood loss for the diagnosis of postpartum hemorrhage: a systematic review and meta-analysis

“…The results showed that the more the assistance team is trained in the methods of quantifying volume loss in the postpartum period, the less divergences and the more reliable the quantifications. These data are corroborated by results found in other studies in which the use of simulation in cases of PPH was investigated ( 36 , 46 , 49 - 50 ) .…”

“…When analyzing the methods comparing VE versus the quantitative methods, the studies pointed out that the quantitative methods are more inclined to detection with greater accuracy in cases of PPH ( 19 , 21 , 25 , 27 , 29 , 31 , 36 ) .…”

“…Quantification is recommended for the diagnosis of PPH in all types of childbirth, regardless, applied to lowand high-risk postpartum women. It is able to reduce maternal morbidity; provides care in a timely manner; provides objective measurement, which impacts on PPH recognition and treatment (reduces delays and supports decision-making); reduces the administration of uterotonics and unnecessary transfusions; consists of a tool to rescue women in PPH; requires greater staff awareness, but does not increase the workload; timely mobilizes additional resources (intensive care bed and transfusions); it contributes to the early and conscious use of uterotonics when necessary and, consequently, presents better results when compared to the VE of bleeding ( 36 ) ; and it is also a low-cost resource, as it only requires calibrated scales and trained professionals.…”

“…It is strongly recommended to create protocols and bundles associated with training the team to adopt the technique, which is a recommendation from the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. It is also pointed out that institutions that adopted quantification reduced costs with unnecessary PPH treatments, unnecessary transfusions, and enhanced the diagnosis of PPH cases ( 31 , 36 ) .…”