A scoping review on the contribution of interprofessional collaborative practices on preventing and managing post-partum haemorrhage in the health care system

Abstract

Background: Postpartum haemorrhage (PPH) is a complication associated with increased morbidity and mortality. Effective management of PPH relies on the interdependent roles of various healthcare professions to ensure safe, high quality outcomes. This scoping review aims to explore and synthesise literature of the contribution of interprofessional collaboration in preventing and managing postpartum haemorrhage.Design: The review adopted a scoping review methodology underpinned by Arksey and O'Malley's five stage framework. Four databases (CINHAL, Scopus, PubMed, and Medline) were searched for sources. The inclusion criteria consisted of full-text articles published in English between 2000 and 2024, across various research designs. Results: The review demonstrates that effective interprofessional collaboration has the potential to ensure prompt diagnosis and management of PPH, while also promoting positive patient and team dynamics outcomes. Moreover, interprofessional collaboration optimises resource utilisation and team synergy, with an awareness of each healthcare professional's role, mutual trust and respect, and shared leadership. Conclusion: Preventing and managing PPH depends on highly effective interprofessional collaboration. To promote safe healthcare delivery during PPH emergencies, strengthening interprofessional collaboration practices is encouraged through various measures. These include interprofessional collaborative quality improvement initiatives, team-based PPH protocols, interprofessional situ simulation training, and PPH mock drills. These strategies provide healthcare systems with structures for better preparedness and swift interprofessional collaborative intervention to prevent complications of postpartum haemorrhage.