title: Calibrated delivery drape versus indirect gravimetric technique for the measurement of blood loss after delivery: a randomized trial.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Trials of interventions for PPH prevention and treatment rely on different measurement methods for the quantification of blood loss and identification of PPH. This study's objective was to compare measures of blood loss obtained from two different measurement protocols frequently used in studies.
  
  
  METHODS
  Nine hundred women presenting for vaginal delivery were randomized to a direct method (a calibrated delivery drape) or an indirect method (a shallow bedpan placed below the buttocks and weighing the collected blood and blood-soaked gauze/pads). Blood loss was measured from immediately after delivery for at least one hour or until active bleeding stopped.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Significantly greater mean blood loss was recorded by the direct than by the indirect measurement technique (253.9 mL and 195.3 mL, respectively; difference = 58.6 mL (95% CI: 31-86); p < 0.001). Almost twice as many women in the direct than in the indirect group measured blood loss > 500 mL (8.7% vs. 4.7%, p = 0.02).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The study suggests a real and significant difference in blood loss measurement between these methods. Research using blood loss measurement as an endpoint needs to be interpreted taking measurement technique into consideration.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  This study has been registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT01885845.
authors.forename: Shubha
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ambardekar
authors.affiliation: Gynuity Health Projects, New York, NY, USA. tshochet@gynuity.org.
authors.forename: Tara
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Shochet
authors.forename: Hillary
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Bracken
authors.forename: Kurus
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Coyaji
authors.forename: Beverly
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Winikoff
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001810:Blood Volume; D036861:Delivery, Obstetric; D005260:Female; D006454:Hemoglobins / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D006473:Postpartum Hemorrhage / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000517:prevention & control; D058636:Surgical Drapes; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D006454:Hemoglobins