Fig. 5.
Maternal Early Warning Criteria. The presence of any of these abnormal “triggers” should activate an immediate bedside evaluation by a physician or qualified clinician who can accelerate care toward prompt diagnosis and treatment of the underlying condition. Considerations for potential differential diagnoses are noted. Any nurse or clinician who is concerned about maternal status should feel empowered to raise concerns up the chain of command to achieve an appropriate response. Mechanisms for escalating notifications should be established. The triggers listed are not comprehensive for all possible obstetrical scenarios and are not intended to replace clinical judgement. Adapted with permission from Mhyre JM, D’Oria R, Hameed AB, Lappen JR, Holley SL, Hunter SK, Jones RL, King JC, D’Alton ME: The maternal early warning criteria: a proposal from the national partnership for maternal safety. Obstet Gynecol 2014; 124:782–6.204