As part of a statewide awareness campaign, patients who give birth at the Mary Lanning Healthcare Family Care Center will receive a teal wristband.
The bands are part of the Nebraska Perinatal Quality Improvement Collaborative’s (NPQIC) Postpartum Alert Initiative. The initiative seeks to reduce preventable deaths by increasing awareness and expediting care for postpartum mothers. Healthcare providers, hospitals and emergency medical personnel across the state have been told about the bands, which will be worn by patients who have given birth within the past six weeks.
Postpartum mothers are at higher risk for serious or life-threatening complications and should be assessed immediately if they report serious symptoms. The bands will provide a visual cue for healthcare providers to escalate patient concerns and prioritize care.
“At MLH, we want to provide community awareness of postpartum complications,” said Donna Munsell, MLH Family Care Center Director. “Most postpartum deaths are preventable if action is taken quickly. We hope that participating in this statewide program will help more patients get immediate care when needed.”
According to NPQIC, Nebraska ranks 17th in the nation for maternal mortality with many deaths occurring within six weeks after childbirth.
Postpartum Alert Warning Signs
Emergency signs requiring immediate action:
- Chest pain
- Difficulty breathing
- Seizures
- Heavy, unstoppable bleeding
- Suicidal or homicidal thoughts
Urgent signs requiring immediate assessment:
- Soaking more than one pad per hour or passing large clots
- Severe headache not relieved with medication
- Blurry vision or seeing spots
- High fever over 100.4° F
- Red, swollen or painful legs
- Dizziness or fainting
- Extreme fatigue that doesn’t improve with rest
- Swelling that’s getting worse
- Blood pressure greater than 160/110 mmHG
