ICCDR,B with Pathfinder and others conducted a large operations research study to determine the efficacy and acceptability of the blood mat and misoprostol as additions to 'clean delivery kits.' They found that women were able to use the mat to identify postpartum hemorrhage and administer the misoprostol to themselves. 96% of the women interviewed after the study had used the Quaiyum blood mat to identify postpartum hemorrhage and would use it again.
The blood mat was invented by Dr. Quaiyum, a researcher at ICDDRB in Bangladesh. The mat holds a maximum of 500 mL of blood. The way the blood travels across the mat enables a visual depiction of how much blood a woman has lost (see here the mat is half full of blood at 250 mL). At 500 mL the mat will begin to leak onto plastic or onto the floor signaling PPH. In the fall of 2010 Dr. Quaiyum received a Gates Grand Challenges grant to enable him to further develop this mat and to make the mat biodegradable. This is incredibly important because dealing with medical waste is such a challenge in many of the same settings where postpartum hemorrhage is a problem.
It is pictured here in a film by Pathfinder International which demonstrates how to manage postpartum hemorrhage.
Maternova Obstetric Kit
Submitted by karinkroh on Fri, 02/18/2011 - 13:33
This pak is focused on preventing postpartum hemorrhage. It contains a simple set of simple tools to stuff in a suitcase or backpack. The tools in this pak are meant to be used in addition to a standard midwifery kit. The kit includes the following:
• power: a windable mobile phone charger to call for help or referral
• light: a solar powered headlamp with adjustable visor to see births
• a calibrated drape to measure blood loss (this can be sterilized with bleach but is not
autoclavable)
• WHO Colour Scale to detect anemia (comes with 200 test strips)
• Reminder Cards on the Active Management of the Third Stage of Labor
I am interested in the cost, and would like to have a sample.
Beth Stephens-Hennessy RNC, MSN, CNS
Sutter Memorial Hospital
Sacramento, California
916-733-0814
stephebm@sutterhealth.org