North Texas Research Forum 2026
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Division
North Texas
Hospital
Medical City Arlington
Specialty
Obstetrics & Gynecology
Document Type
Presentation
Publication Date
2026
Keywords
quality improvement, complete blood count, CBC, blood cell count, postpartum period
Disciplines
Medicine and Health Sciences | Obstetrics and Gynecology | Quality Improvement
Abstract
BACKGROUND
While a postpartum CBC may be helpful to detect anemia, it may not be necessary in a routine, uncomplicated patient and may be more of a burden and cause inconvenience without providing significant benefit. The goal of our project is to have a positive impact on patient care, hospital efficiency, and healthcare cost for both hospital and patient.
METHODS
Using data from July 2025 onwards for a six-month period is the intended duration of our study. We are looking at which patients got a postpartum CBC (which is usually collected one day after delivery) and whether that lab draw was necessary in that it resulted in a change in the patient’s postpartum management. Criteria for obtaining a CBC in our study are as follows: cesarean or operative vaginal deliveries, spontaneous vaginal delivery with PPH (QBL >1000cc), admission hemoglobin of < 10, anemia symptomatology, hemodynamic instability, risk factors for postpartum hemorrhage (chorioamnionitis, multiparity, history of PPH), known bleeding disorder, or CBC ordered for other reasons (preeclampsia). Only vaginal deliveries for patients who are a part of the graduate medical education (GME) or drop-in patients (those admitted to Medical City Arlington but who were receiving care by an outside physician) were included.
RESULTS
Current data for our study includes 99 deliveries, 38 of which were vaginal deliveries. 32 of these deliveries got a postpartum CBC, 10 of which were not warranted based on the criteria outlined above. All 10 of these CBCs did not lead to a change in management in the postpartum period. Additionally, 6 of the 38 vaginal deliveries did not get a CBC when one was not warranted, and this also did not make a change in their postpartum management.
CONCLUSION
With additional cycles of our study, we will obtain more data to underscore our conclusion and validate our original hypothesis. Thus far, the results of our study demonstrate that for relatively uncomplicated vaginal deliveries, a postpartum CBC is not warranted and does not result in a change in management of the patient. If a lab test (in this case a CBC) is not drawn because it is not warranted, this is not only beneficial to a patient because it avoids an unnecessary blood draw, but it also reduces cost to the hospital and burden on lab technicians and is an easy and worthwhile step to implement at any healthcare facility.
Original Publisher
HCA Healthcare Graduate Medical Education
Recommended Citation
Ibrahim, Mira; Johnson, Katie; Sciacca, Isabella; Ohm, Ali; and Tenzel, Nicole, "Reconsidering Routine Postpartum Complete Blood Count in Uncomplicated Vaginal Deliveries: A Quality Improvement Project" (2026). North Texas Research Forum 2026. 84.
https://scholarlycommons.hcahealthcare.com/northtexas2026/84