Severe Maternal Morbidity Audit
National Perinatal Epidemiology Centre, Anu Research Centre, Cork University Maternity Hospital
2011
To investigate the incidence and cause of severe maternal morbidity (SMM) in Ireland. Further, to investigate the location of maternal care for women requiring higher levels of care. This will assist in informing clinical practice, public health interventions and counselling of prospective mothers.
For the year 2016 national, i.e. all maternity units in Ireland. Prior to this, all but one maternity hospital.
Designated coordinators within all maternity units collate and submit data on women experiencing specific severe maternal morbidities and /or who require a higher level of care to the NPEC using a specific, detailed notification form.
Anonymised data including: maternal details (demographics, past medical history, current pregnancy details including delivery and maternal outcomes); hospital details; baby outcome details.
All Irish maternity units.
SMM data is submitted either via the secure online NPEC database, or alternatively by paper format. The critical care in obstetric audit is by paper format only.
Not available
The NPEC adapted the validated methodology of the Scottish Confidential Audit Severe Maternal Morbidity (SCASMM) to evaluate SMM in Ireland. This methodology utilises organ dysfunction criteria described by Mantel et al. Organ disease are defined using International Statistical Classification of Disease and Related Health Problems (ICD) coding.
365 records created in 2014.
In addition, the critical care in obstetrics component of the audit had 244 cases.
Annual National NPEC Perinatal Mortality Reports. Further, annual individual maternity hospital reports.
NPEC has a data access policy. Applicants must complete a data request form which is reviewed by a data access committee.
No
This audit includes a supplementary audit on critical care in obstetrics (2014–2016).