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CME Credit Offered
CME Credit Offered
Abstract Award
Abstract Award
Recording available 2/16-5/2
Recording available 2/16-5/2
AIUM Credit
AIUM Credit
Foundation Awardee
Foundation Awardee
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Abstract Award
Abstract Award
Foundation Awardee
Foundation Awardee

Poster Session 3

Category: Clinical Obstetrics

Poster Session 3

(752) Racial Disparities in Postpartum Hemorrhage Intervention Timing

Thursday, February 12, 2026
10:30 AM - 12:00 PM  
Objective:
Black patients are at higher risk of morbidity and mortality from postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) but may also be less likely to receive escalations in care compared to White patients. This study examined whether delays in intervention beyond first-line uterotonic medications in patients with PPH varied by patient race and insurance status. We hypothesized that Black patients and Medicaid patients experienced greater delays in receiving PPH interventions.

Study Design:
A retrospective cohort study of patients with PPH during delivery in a large health system between 2019-2024. PPH was defined as total blood loss of 1000 mL or more. PPH interventions included balloon tamponade, uterine artery embolization (UAE), and hysterectomy. Time to intervention was defined as the time elapsed from the time of the PPH, estimated by the time of the 2nd medical intervention (aside from standard oxytocin). Patient demographics, obstetric characteristics, intervention times, and clinical outcomes were extracted from the electronic medical record. Time to each intervention was compared between Black and White patients and Medicaid and privately insured patients. Unadjusted analyses were performed using type 2, 2-tailed t-tests. A P-value of 0.05 was considered significant.

Results:
A total of 4,317 patients were included, of which 13% were Black (n= 587) and 6.5% (n= 289) were publicly insured. Black patients received balloon tamponade later, on average, than White patients with a mean time of 229 minutes compared to 125 minutes (p=0.03). Time to UAE or hysterectomy was not statistically different for Black compared to White patients (p=0.34 and p=0.41, respectively). There were no significant differences in time to balloon tamponade, UAE or hysterectomy between Medicaid and privately insured patients. 

Conclusion:
This study reveals potential disparities in postpartum hemorrhage care with respect to balloon tamponade, highlighting the need for monitoring of postpartum hemorrhage response time and its impact on patient outcomes.