A powerful discussion draws more than double the usual attendance — signaling growing momentum for maternal safety.
Maternal sepsis is one of the leading—and most preventable—causes of maternal mortality in the United States. Yet early symptoms are often missed, and treatment delays can have devastating consequences.
OBHG’s Dr. Eric Colton, market medical director and clinical site director at Blessing Hospital, was invited to lead a session on maternal sepsis prevention during a recent Ohio Hospital Association (OHA) webinar on August 20, 2025.
The session drew more than 200 healthcare professionals—more than double the typical attendance for OHA webinars—underscoring the urgency and widespread interest in addressing this critical maternal health challenge.
Spotlight on early recognition and rapid response
Dr. Colton’s presentation, “Maternal Sepsis: Clinical Excellence, Litigation Insight, and the Human Impact,” explored both the science and the systems behind early sepsis recognition. He emphasized that every hour of delay in treatment can increase mortality by up to 20 percent, making timely action the single most powerful intervention clinicians can take.
“Maternal sepsis isn’t rare—and it isn’t inevitable,” said Dr. Colton. “We can prevent these tragedies through vigilance, clear protocols, and non-hierarchical teamwork that empowers every clinician to speak up.”
Introducing OBHG’s two-step maternal sepsis protocol
Dr. Colton outlined OBHG’s two-step maternal sepsis protocol, adapted from the California Maternal Quality Care Collaborative and validated across multiple hospital systems.
Step 1 involves rapid screening using pregnancy-adjusted vital signs and white blood cell counts.
Step 2 includes confirmatory testing for organ dysfunction, followed by immediate treatment with broad-spectrum antibiotics and fluid resuscitation within one hour.
This approach improves both sensitivity and specificity, reducing missed cases while minimizing unnecessary interventions. It also integrates seamlessly into electronic medical records, ensuring consistent bedside practice.
A systems approach to maternal safety
Beyond clinical protocols, Dr. Colton called for system-level change. He encouraged hospitals to embed sepsis screening tools directly into EHR systems, conduct regular simulation training across obstetric, emergency, and ICU teams, and foster a just culture that learns from near misses and shares success stories across departments.
These steps, he noted, are essential to moving from awareness to action—and from isolated improvements to consistent, systemwide excellence.
Collaboration for a healthier future
OBHG is proud to partner with the Ohio Hospital Association and other state and national organizations working to reduce maternal morbidity and mortality.
“Every life saved from maternal sepsis represents a family kept whole and a future preserved,” said Dr. Colton.
Learn more
Watch the full webinar replay: OHA Maternal Sepsis Webinar