The Green Room: A Podcast from Obstetrics & Gynecology March 2024: Obstetrics
Feb 15, 2024
Dr. Melissa Bauer, an Associate Professor of Anesthesiology at Duke University, discusses vital research aimed at reducing maternal mortality from sepsis. She delves into innovative prediction tools for sepsis screening during pregnancy and the postpartum period, emphasizing their potential for early detection. The conversation also covers the need for adaptable screening strategies in low-resource settings. Additionally, they evaluate antibiotic use in maternal care and the nuances of diagnosing infections, revealing critical insights for healthcare providers.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
How The Author Chose This Focus
- Melissa Bauer entered maternal sepsis research after dual fellowships in critical care and obstetric anesthesia.
- She wanted to address pregnancy-specific challenges to early sepsis identification and treatment.
Use Screens As First-Step Alerts
- Treat sepsis screening tools as alerts, not diagnoses, and take a closer clinical look when triggered.
- Assess for organ injury and infection rather than immediately assuming sepsis and starting broad therapy.
Timing Changes Tool Performance
- Pregnancy-adjusted sepsis screening tools perform better near delivery but miss cases in early pregnancy and soon postpartum.
- Use nonpregnancy tools before 20 weeks and after about three days postpartum to improve sensitivity.