Post-partum HCT

[kimblain]

Does anyone know if there is a recommendation for doing a post-partum hematocrit on Labor patients

[rravkin@aol.com]

Kim,

I don't know of such a recommendation but considering the blood loss during the birthing process the practice makes a lot of sense.

[Liz]

No there isnt for NVD because the ladies will pick up.

I mean it is done routinely depending on the hospital. But it is not required by an agency.

[Deny Morlino]

It is a SOP in our facility. It is benificial for blood bank as we are aware of the status of the patient (post partum). It also provides additional whole blood specimen for Kleihauer - Betke staining if it is necessary.

We did have a patient recently who the physician and nursing did not think had experienced much peri-operative blood loss that was caught having a 5gram hgb drop because of this policy. She did receive 2 units of packed red cells prior to discharge.

Edited December 22, 2010 by Deny Morlino

[khalidm3]

It is a SOP in our facility. It is benificial for blood bank as we are aware of the status of the patient (post partum). It also provides additional whole blood specimen for Kleihauer - Betke staining if it is necessary.

We did have a patient recently who the physician and nursing did not think had experienced much peri-operative blood loss that was caught having a 5gram hgb drop because of this policy. She did receive 2 units of packed red cells prior to discharge.

Good, all of us should have it.

[AMcCord]

The OB/GYN committe at my facility requires a post delivery H&H or CBC as a standing order on all obstetric patients.

[Bill]

I checked with one of our OB gurus and he stated that there is no "requirement" for post partum HCT BUT it is part of American College of OB's Standard of Practice to do CBC post partum to assess for excessive bleed.