Reducing Anemia Prevalence in Pregnant Women at the Time of Delivery: A Phase One Pilot Study on Proactive Antepartum Screening and Management [ID 865]

INTRODUCTION: Anemia affects 40% of pregnant women globally and is linked to adverse maternal and perinatal outcomes, particularly in racial and ethnic minority groups. This quality improvement (QI) project aimed to evaluate the effect of proactive antepartum anemia optimization on reducing anemia prevalence among pregnant women at labor and delivery admission. METHODS: This retrospective cohort study analyzed the effects of standardized prenatal anemia screening and management on the prevalence of anemia at delivery admission. The QI initiative, launched May 1, 2022, monitored hemoglobin levels each trimester, providing oral iron supplementation and expedited referrals for intravenous (IV) iron infusions for refractory cases. Data from 15 months pre- and post-implementation were compared. Patients with hereditary anemia were excluded. Statistical analysis included chi-squared and Mann–Whitney U tests. RESULTS: A total of 2,518 delivery admissions pre-implementation and 2,959 post-implementation were analyzed. Proactive anemia optimization resulted in a 14% reduction in anemia prevalence at hospital admission ( P =.002). Although reductions in severe and mild anemia rates were not statistically significant ( P >.05), a threefold increase in IV iron infusion utilization and a twofold increase in anemia screening compliance were observed ( P <.05). Hispanic/Latino patients accounted for over half of the anemia cases. CONCLUSIONS/IMPLICATIONS: Proactive antepartum anemia management significantly reduced anemia prevalence at delivery admission. Increased IV iron infusion utilization, improved screening compliance, and more frequent oral iron prescriptions highlight the program’s effectiveness in addressing maternal anemia and related disparities. These findings lay the groundwork for future efforts to reduce severe maternal morbidity.