Language-Based Inequities in Transfusion Practices with Obstetric Hemorrhage

1723 patients with PPH were included: 1314 (76.3%) with EPL and 409 (23.7%) with NEPL. English-speaking and non-English speaking patients had similar QBL rates (1530.2 ± 634.2 vs 1496.0 ± 668.1, p = 0.3). However, transfusion rates were lower in those with NEPL, when compared to EPL (28.2% vs 22.9%, p = 0.039). After adjusting for age, race/ethnicity, nulliparity, body mass index, pre-eclampsia and pre-delivery anemia, gravidas with NEPL were less likely to be transfused compared with EPL (aOR 0.7, 95% CI 1.012-1.806, p = 0.04). Rates of DIC, ICU admission and transfusion of 4 + units of pRBC were similar between groups. CONCLUSIONS FOR PRACTICE: Despite a similar postpartum blood loss, patients with NEPL had lower rates of blood transfusion in PPH compared to patients with EPL. Further research is needed in health literacy and language proficiency that may impede access to transfusion in patients with PPH.