Red blood cell capacity of modern menstrual products: considerations for assessing heavy menstrual bleeding.

BACKGROUND: Heavy menstrual bleeding affects up to one third of menstruating individuals and has a negative impact on quality of life. The diagnosis of heavy menstrual bleeding is based primarily on history taking, which is highly dependent on traditional disposable menstrual products such as pads and tampons. Only tampons undergo industry-regulated testing for absorption capacity. As use of alternative menstrual products is increasing, there is a need to understand how the capacity of these products compare to that of standard products. METHODS: A variety of commercially available menstrual products (tampons, pads, menstrual cups and discs, and period underwear) were tested in the laboratory to determine their maximal capacity to absorb or fill using expired human packed red blood cells. The volume of blood necessary for saturation or filling of the product was recorded. RESULTS: Of the 21 individual menstrual hygiene products tested, a menstrual disc (Ziggy, Jiangsu, China) held the most blood of any product (80 mL). The perineal ice-activated cold pack and period underwear held the least (<3 mL each). Of the product categories tested, on average, menstrual discs had the greatest capacity (61 mL) and period underwear held the least (2 mL). Tampons, pads (heavy/ultra), and menstrual cups held similar amounts of blood (approximately 20-50 mL). CONCLUSION: This study found considerable variability in red blood cell volume capacity of menstrual products. This emphasises the importance of asking individuals about the type of menstrual products they use and how they use them. Further understanding of capacity of newer menstrual products can help clinicians better quantify menstrual blood loss, identify individuals who may benefit from additional evaluation, and monitor treatment.

Safe Passage: Improving the Transition of Care Between Triage and Labor and Delivery.

OBJECTIVE: The multifaceted nature of the transition of care from the triage unit to labor and delivery has historically led to confusion, delays, and errors in care. This study evaluated the effect of standardization of roles and communication on improving this transition. METHODS: A multidisciplinary team was assembled to define and standardize roles of team members. A huddle safety board was created as a visual aid to promote closed-loop communication during an admission bedside huddle. The primary metrics collected were duration of time from the admission decision in the triage unit to when the admission huddle was completed on labor and delivery, duration of time from the admission decision in the triage unit to initiation of the plan of care and documented completion of the admission huddle. RESULTS: There was a 66-minute reduction in time from the admission decision to the huddle completion between the preintervention and postintervention periods. There was a 93-minute reduction in the time from the admission decision to when the plan of care was initiated between the preintervention and post-intervention periods. The weekly huddle compliance rate improved from 48% to 84% by the postintervention period. CONCLUSIONS: The implementation of standardized roles and processes facilitating closed-loop communication decreases delays in communication and initiation of care in pregnant women transferred from the triage unit to labor and delivery.