TexasAIM Sepsis in Obstetric Care Bundle
Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) collaborates with hospitals providing maternal services across Texas to enhance the safety of maternal health care. The TexasAIM initiative helps hospitals statewide work together to make healthcare safer for every mother with a goal to reduce maternal mortality and severe maternal morbidity.
The Texas Mortality and Morbidity Review Committee reviewed cases of maternal deaths from 2016-2020 in Texas. Infection was the leading cause of pregnancy-related deaths. Sepsis or septic shock was the second most common underlying condition, secondary to COVID-19. Hispanic women experienced the highest rates of infection-related maternal mortality. In Texas, the pregnancy-related mortality ratio (PRMR) in 2020 was greatest among non-Hispanic Black women compared to all other race/ethnicity groups (roughly 2.5 times greater). In 2019 and 2020 combined, 73% of deaths due to infections occurred within 42 days of the end of pregnancy. In 2019 and 2020 combined, 76% of pregnancy related deaths occurred in hospitals and 100% of deaths due to infections occurred in hospitals. Most of these deaths were preventable.
The Alliance for Innovation on Maternal Health (AIM) Sepsis in Obstetric Care Patient Safety Bundle offers guidance to hospitals by coordinating and standardizing the care for women affected by sepsis. For the purposes of the AIM bundle Sepsis in Obstetric Care, maternal sepsis is defined as a life-threatening condition defined as organ dysfunction resulting from infection during pregnancy, childbirth, post-abortion, or the postpartum period (up to 42 days) (World Health Organization). The bundle provides actionable steps that can be adapted to a variety of facilities and resource levels to improve quality of care and outcomes for patients experiencing sepsis. (AIM, 2024)
Participating in the TexasAIM Sepsis in Obstetric Care Learning Collaborative allows hospital teams to:
- Network, learn, and share information and resources with peers across the state;
- Access subject matter expertise, coaching, and support from a multidisciplinary faculty team and quality improvement experts; and
- Track progress toward shared measures while receiving support to use data for driving improvement.
Enroll today!
Enrollment into the TexasAIM Sepsis in Obstetric Care Learning Collaborative launched December 9, 2024. Collaborative testing and implementation will continue until December 2026. Enrollment is open to all licensed Texas hospitals that provide maternal services.
Participation in TexasAIM is voluntary, and there is no cost to enroll.
If you are interested in enrolling in TexasAIM, please complete the following steps:
- Review guidance on how to form your hospital improvement team;
- Complete the enrollment form by February 28, 2024;
- Have your hospital’s Chief Executive Officer sign the agreement form to confirm your leaderships' approval of involvement in TexasAIM; and
- Email the signed CEO Agreement form to TexasAIM@dshs.texas.gov by February 28, 2024.
TexasAIM Sepsis in Obstetric Care Learning Collaborative Faculty:
The Texas Department of State Health Services TexasAIM Team is grateful for its partnership with the TexasAIM Plus Sepsis in Obstetric Care Faculty.
Provider Resources:
Questions?
Didn’t find what you were looking for? Visit the Alliance for Innovation on Maternal Health webpage for more information or contact the TexasAIM Team at TexasAIM@dshs.texas.gov.