Between 2017 and 2020, hypertensive disorders contributed to half of all pregnancy-related deaths due to cardiovascular disease, which is the leading cause of maternal mortality in Tennessee. In response, the Tennessee Initiative for Perinatal Care (TIPQC) recruited 15 of the state’s 59 birthing facilities to implement AIM’s Severe Hypertension in Pregnancy patient safety bundle. Five birthing facilities began a pilot project in November 2020, and 10 additional facilities began participating in March 2021. Between Q3 2020 and Q4 2021, the percentage of patients with persistent severe hypertension who were treated within 60 minutes of episode onset at the five pilot facilities increased from 43% to 67%, a 56% increase. Between Q1 2021 and Q4 2021, the percentage of patients with persistent severe hypertension who were treated within 60 minutes of episode onset at the 10 additional participating facilities increased from 32% to 57%, a 78% increase. The TIPQC continues to support participating facilities by hosting huddles focused on project sustainability as well as data check-ins to further improve timely treatment of persistent severe hypertension.
