Poster Presentation Society of Obstetric Medicine of Australia and New Zealand ASM 2018

Obstetric critical care admissions at the Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital (#68)

Gladness Nethathe 1 2 , Matthew Bright 1 2 , Amy Krepska 1 2 , Victoria Eley 1 2
  1. The Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital, Butterfield St, Herston 4006, Queensland, Australia
  2. The University of Queensland, St Lucia 4067, Queensland, Australia

Background  

Critically unwell obstetric patients have unique physiological changes that complicate their care. Challenges presented by critically ill obstetric patients in Australia have previously been described[1]but further identification of indications for Intensive Care Unit (ICU) admission and required interventions will optimise care and resource allocation.

Objectives

This retrospective audit examined the epidemiology, management interventions and outcomes of obstetric critical care admissions at The Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital (RBWH).

Methods

Ethics exemption was obtained. Patients included delivered between October 1st 2014 and December 31st 2017, and were admitted antenatally or postnatally to the ICU. Obstetric, intervention and outcome data was extracted from ICU electronic records.

Results 

Of 7688 total ICU admissions, 86 (1.1 %) were obstetric. Of the obstetric admissions: 22 (25.6%) were admitted antenatally and 64 (74.4%) postnatally. The mean (SD) age was 30.4 (7.1) years and BMI 26.5 (9.7). During admission, 64 (74.4%) delivered: 55 (63.9%) by caesarean section birth and 9 (10.4%) vaginally. In the 24 hours prior to ICU admission; 4 (4.7 %) had cardiac arrests and 2 (2.3%) had respiratory arrests. Indications for ICU admission were: 35 (40.7%) for direct obstetric causes, 51 (60.7%) for indirect or non-obstetric causes.[2,3,4] Haemorrhage accounted for 23 (27%) of admissions, and hypertensive disorders 6 (7%). On admission to ICU, 10 (11.6%) were febrile, 4 (4.7%) were either hypotensive or hypertensive and 28 (33%) women had a GCS less than 10. In ICU, 22 (26%) required mechanical ventilation, 14 (16%) inotropic support and 15 (17%) blood products. The mean (SD) length of stay (LOS) in ICU was 2.5 (4.5) days compared to 3.26 (6.22) of total adult admissions. Maternal mortality was 3 (3.5%).

Conclusion

We have described a high risk tertiary referral centre obstetric population. The commonest reasons for ICU admission were indirect or non-obstetric causes. Mechanical ventilation, was the commonest organ support intervention. Obstetric ICU admissions had a shorter LOS than the general ICU population.

 

  1. Crozier TM et al. Obstetric admissions to an integrated general intensive care unit in a quaternary maternity facility, Aust N Z J Obstet Gynaecol, 2011; 51(3): 233-8.
  2. Salanave B et al. Int J Epidemiol. Classification differences and maternal mortality: a European study. MOMS Group. Mothers' Mortality and Severe morbidity. Int J Epidemiol. 1999;28(1):64-9.
  3. Knight M et al, on behalf of MBRRACE UK. Saving Lives, Improving Mothers’ Care – Lessons Learned to Inform Future Maternity Care from the UK and Ireland Confidential Enquiries into Maternal Deaths and Morbidity 2009‐12. Oxford: National Perinatal Epidemiology Unit, University of Oxford, 2014.
  4. WHO. The WHO application of ICD-10 to deaths during pregnancy, childbirth and puerperium: ICD-MM. World Health Organization, Geneva; 2012.