Panel of Global Experts Recommends Best Practices to Combat Postpartum Hemorrhage, the Primary Cause of Maternal Mortality Worldwide

BARCELONA, Spain--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Cook Medical recently hosted a roundtable discussion with a panel of international obstetrics and gynecology specialists on maternal mortality rates in conjunction with the first Global Congress of Maternal and Infant Health. The expert panelists addressed the risk factors, causes, and treatment options for postpartum hemorrhage (PPH), which causes the death of 140,000 women annually, and equates to one death every four minutes across the globe¹.

“To make this happen, we must engage governments, the private sector and industry groups to put into place the right processes to make these programs available at the global level.”

The distinguished panelists established a list of recommended best practices to guide global initiatives that will improve education, intervention and overall treatment of critical threats to maternal health, specifically postpartum hemorrhage. Particularly, one panelist, Dr. Maysoon Al Adham, called on government and aid organizations to invest more in the area: “Maternal mortality is a critical issue, as important as cancer research. A lot of money is being given to cancer research, and I would ask government officials and organizations to put more money into training and medications to combat maternal mortality.”

The panelists discussed postpartum hemorrhage treatment and prevention from both a physician and patient perspective.

The group stressed the importance of the following for medical professionals who may encounter PPH:

Need for training and education that will enable clinicians to identify patients at risk for PPH before delivery
Guidance on how to quickly recognize the symptoms during labor that might lead to PPH and how to best address each
Awareness of all the treatment modalities so that a quick assessment can be made and the most effective treatment option chosen

“PPH is common but often unexpected. Therefore, clinicians—especially those new to the practice—might not always be fully prepared,” said panelist Prof. Eduard Gratacós. “It is important for medical schools and healthcare facilities to employ effective training programs that teach clinicians how to isolate pre-existing risk factors and presenting symptoms so they can prepare the right treatment option in time to preserve both fertility and life. Early detection is critical to treating this condition.”

Dr. Haywood Brown of Duke University added: “The key to preventing maternal death is acting without delay, both in diagnosis and treatment. Clinicians must employ intervention methods early to save lives. For example, a tamponade balloon is proven to preserve life and fertility, but many clinicians move to this method too late in the treatment process. With the right education they can learn when it is most appropriate to use this option.”

From a patient perspective, the panel acknowledged the need for greater prenatal education and treatment for women and their families, specifically in developing countries where this type of care is not readily available.

“In many parts of the world, medical consultations may not be easily accessible or women may be discouraged from seeking them. It is critical that we find ways to work past this and to offer opportunities for them to learn about the risks they may be facing. This may enable women, their families and communities to identify and manage these risks until medical care is available,” said panelist Dr. Saralyn Mark, first senior medical advisor to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' Office on Women's Health and consultant to Cook Medical. “To make this happen, we must engage governments, the private sector and industry groups to put into place the right processes to make these programs available at the global level.”

“The discussion on the full scope of PPH provided insight on what is required to reduce maternal mortality around the world,” said Christina Anné, vice president and global business unit leader for Cook Medical’s Women’s Health division. “This meeting highlights the need for improved education on PPH as well as best practices for treatment. Our goal is to play a significant role in the reduction of maternal mortality rates across the globe, and we look forward to working with the panelists further in bringing to life some of the ideas discussed.”

Distinguished panelists included:

Dr. Maysoon Al Adham, consultant and head of the department of obstetrics and gynecology at King Abdulaziz Medical City and assistant professor at King Saud bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Christina Anné, vice president and global business unit leader, Cook Medical Women’s Health division
Dr. Haywood Brown, chair of the department of obstetrics and gynecology at Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina
Prof. Eduard Gratacós, head of maternal-fetal medicine at Hospital Clinic in Barcelona as well as member of the board and scientific chairman of the International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology (ISUOG)
Prof. Franco Guidozzi, former president, South African Society of Obstetricians and Gynecologists; professor, academic head and chief specialist of the department of obstetrics and gynecology at the Johannesburg Hospital and University of Witwatersrand Medical School
Dr. Saralyn Mark, first senior medical advisor to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Office on Women’s Health and senior scientific advisor to Cook Group
Dr. Elaine M. Wolfson, PhD, founder and president, Global Alliance for Women's Health (GAWH)

Note: Cook Medical compensated the participants for their participation in this event.

About Cook Medical

Founded in 1963, Cook Medical pioneered many of the medical devices now commonly used to perform minimally invasive medical procedures throughout the body. Today, the company integrates medical devices, drugs and biologic grafts to enhance patient safety and improve clinical outcomes. Since its inception, Cook has operated as a family-held private corporation. For more information, visit www.cookmedical.com. Follow Cook Medical on Twitter @CookMedicalPr and @Cookwomenshlth

About the Global Congress of Maternal and Infant Health

The first annual Global Congress of Maternal and Infant Health is a landmark meeting drawing together representatives from perinatal medicine, academics, nongovernmental organizations, foundations, and specialized agencies of the United Nations. The meeting marks the launch of an effort to change the circumstances resulting from social customs, political instability and economic inequality that endanger the well-being of mothers and children. Congress info: http://www.globalcongress2010.com/

¹ American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. ACOG practice bulletin: clinical management guidelines for obstetrician-gynecologists number 76, October 2006: postpartum hemorrhage. Obstet Gynecol. 2006;108(4):1039-1047.