Australasian Clinical Indicator Report 2003 – 2010 Obstetrics ...

Blood transfusion
7.1 Vaginal birth - blood transfusion (L)
Obstetrics, v6
Rationale
Postpartum haemorrhage (PPH) is a potentially life threatening complication of birth that
occurs in about 3-5% of vaginal births. The condition remains a leading cause of maternal
morbidity and mortality.
Numerator Total number of women who give birth vaginally who receive a blood transfusion
during the same admission.
Denominator Total number of women who give birth vaginally.
Dimensions of care: Accessibility Appropriateness Continuity
Effectiveness Efficiency Quality Improvement and Risk Safety
Desirable level: Low High Not specified
Type of Indicator: Process Outcome Structure
No. Total Total
Year HCOs numerator denominator Rate #
Centile Stratum Outlier
(20) (80) gains gains gains
2008 125 1,044 88,624 1.18 0.52 1.38 578 216 217
2009 145 1,268 113,835 1.11 0.73 1.35 439 415 51
2010 155 1,599 127,362 1.26 0.78 1.57 610 610 64
# per 100 vaginal births
Rate #
Rate #
In 2010, there were 286 data submissions from 155 HCOs. The annual rate was 1.3 per 100
vaginal births.
Variation between strata
Rates by Public / Private
No. Total
Total Stratum
Year Stratum HCOs numerator denominator rate #
Standard Stratum
error gains
2009 Private 51 206 35,437 0.75 0.046
Public 94 1,062 78,398 1.28 0.031 415
2010 Private 51 205 35,596 0.78 0.053
Public 104 1,394 91,766 1.44 0.033 610
#per 100 vaginal births
Australasian Clinical Indicator Report 2003-2010 Page 32
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