Candidate Name: Mollie Meyers
Program: Nursing
Committee Chairs: Meredith Troutman-Jordan
Committee Members: Dr. Lorraine Schoen (NAP Faculty), Dr. Tonya Anderson (SON Faculty), Dr. Daheia Barr-Anderson (GFR)
Abstract:

Postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) remains the leading cause of maternal mortality worldwide, with 20% of cases occurring in women without identifiable risk factors. This underscores the need for physicians to diagnose and treat PPH effectively. Evidence indicates that tranexamic acid (TXA) reduces bleeding-related deaths; however, its use for PPH prophylaxis and management varies among anesthesia providers. Despite identifiable risk factors for PPH, predicting patient response to uterotonics alone is challenging. With TXA's antifibrinolytic properties, its global application can significantly enhance maternal outcomes. An electronic survey, consisting of 27 questions (16 multiple-choice, five Likert-scale, and six demographic), was distributed to OB anesthesia providers at Atrium Health CMC and Pineville via REDCap. The survey assessed knowledge of TXA use in PPH across three topics: TXA in vaginal vs. cesarean deliveries, prophylactic use of TXA, and treatment of PPH with TXA. The average correct response rate was 54.5%, with participants answering 8.72 out of 16 questions correctly. Anesthesia providers ranked themselves on a likert scale as “likely” to administer TXA in cases of PPH after vaginal delivery. Nearly half of respondents (44%) reported being neutral or unlikely to identify high-risk parturients, and 34% were neutral or unlikely to administer prophylactic TXA when indicated. When anesthesia providers were asked if they were educated on TXA’s use in PPH, the average respondent felt “neutral” or “disagreed”. In conclusion, knowledge and practice gaps exist, suggesting that CMC and Pineville anesthesia providers would benefit from further education regarding the use of TXA in PPH.