Levels of Maternal Care in the United States: An Assessment of Publicly Available State Guidelines

Abstract

Background:

Recent increases in maternal mortality and severe maternal morbidity highlight the need to improve systems for safe maternity care. We sought to identify whether publicly available state perinatal guidelines incorporate levels of maternal care (LoMC) criteria.

Materials and Methods:

We searched websites for 50 U.S. states and Washington, D.C. for LoMC guidelines. The Health Resources and Services Administration's Title V Program directors confirmed/updated search results through January 2018. Data abstracted included: (1) definitions of levels; (2) provider types; (3) facility capabilities and services; and (4) programmatic responsibilities as promoted in the 2015 Society for Maternal/Fetal Medicine and American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists consensus document on LoMC.

Results:

LoMC guidelines were identified for 17 states; 12 defined four levels and five defined three levels of care. In Level I, 14/17 states specified obstetric provider availability for every birth and five specified an available surgeon to perform emergency cesareans. Fourteen states specified the availability of blood bank and laboratory services at all times. In the highest level (III or IV), 16/17 state guidelines specified a maternal/fetal medicine specialist; all but two specified anesthesia providers or services. Ten states referenced availability of an onsite intensive care unit in their highest level. All 17 state guidelines specified maternal transport and referral systems.

Conclusions:

Only one-third of states have publicly available perinatal guidelines incorporating LoMC criteria. Definitions, criteria, and nomenclature varied. Lack of LoMC guidelines with standardized criteria limits monitoring and evaluation of regionalized systems of maternal care.