• Sam Lepine, Beverley Lawton, Stacie Geller, Peter Abels, and Evelyn J MacDonald.
• RANZCOG, Wellington Regional Hospital, Wellington, New Zealand.
• Aust N Z J Obstet Gynaecol. 2018 Dec 1; 58 (6): 648-653.

BackgroundSepsis is a life-threatening systemic condition that appears to be increasing in the obstetric population. Clinical detection can be difficult and may result in increased morbidity via delays in the continuum of patient care.AimsTo describe the burden of severe maternal morbidity (SMM) caused by sepsis in New Zealand and investigate the potential preventability.MethodsA multidisciplinary expert review panel was established to review cases of obstetric sepsis admitted to intensive care or high-dependency units over an 18 month span in New Zealand. Cases were then analysed for the characteristics of infection and their preventability.ResultsFifty cases met the inclusion criteria, most commonly due to uterine, respiratory or kidney infection. Fifty per cent (25) of these cases were deemed potentially preventable, predominantly due to delays in diagnosis and treatment.ConclusionsA high index of suspicion, development of early recognition systems and multi-disciplinary training are recommended to decrease preventable cases of maternal sepsis.© 2018 The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists.

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