Consensus Bundle on Severe Hypertension During Pregnancy and the Postpartum Period

Abstract Complications arising from hypertensive disordersof pregnancy are among the leading causes of preventable severe maternal morbidity and mortality. Timely and appropriate treatment has the potential to significantly reduce hypertension-related complications. To assist health care providers in achieving this goal, this patient safety bundleprovides guidance to coordinate and standardize the care provided to women with severe hypertensionduring pregnancyand the postpartum period. This is one of several patient safety bundlesdeveloped by multidisciplinary work groups of the National Partnership for Maternal Safety under the guidance of the Council on Patient Safetyin Women's Health Care. These safety bundlesoutline critical clinical practices that should be implemented in every maternity care setting. Similar to other bundlesthat have been developed and promoted by the Partnership, the hypertension safety bundleis organized into four domains: Readiness , Recognition and Prevention , Response , and Reporting and Systems Learning . Although the bundlecomponents may be adapted to meet the resources available in individual facilities, standardization within an institution is strongly encouraged. This commentary provides information to assist with bundleimplementation.