title: Audit of severe acute morbidity in hypertensive pregnancies in a developing country.
abstract: The aim of this study was to establish a population-based incidence of severe acute maternal morbidity (SAMM) in hypertensive pregnancies and to assess if substandard care was unique to cases of SAMM and mortality or whether it was apparent in uncomplicated pregnancies as well. The population-based incidence of hypertension was 12%. Using defined criteria for SAMM, the incidence of SAMM was 3/1000 deliveries. The MMR was 42/100000 deliveries, i.e. SAMM is seven times greater than the mortality. Substandard care was similar in cases of SAMM and mortality and uncomplicated hypertensive patients. Audit of SAMM is informative, can be conducted more frequently, and in small sample population groups. It also allows interviews of patients, hence problems of inefficient documentation is obviated.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Nelson R Mandela School of Medicine, University of Natal Durban, South Africa.
authors.forename: Mala
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Panday
authors.forename: G D
authors.initials: GD
authors.lastname: Mantel
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Moodley
mesh_terms: D000208:Acute Disease; D000328:Adult; D036861:Delivery, Obstetric / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003906:Developing Countries; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology; D015994:Incidence; D008427:Maternal Health Services; D008485:Medical Audit; D008507:Medically Underserved Area; D011247:Pregnancy; D011249:Pregnancy Complications, Cardiovascular / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013019:South Africa / Q000453:epidemiology