Active surveillance of maternal mortality in New York City

OBJECTIVES: This study examined the usefulness of computer-assisted active surveillance in identifying maternal deaths in New York City. METHODS: Computerized searches of hospital discharge and autopsy record databases were conducted for maternal deaths occurring in 1997. RESULTS: Active surveillance revealed 14 new maternal deaths not previously reported, an 88% increase. Nine of these deaths were found through the hospital discharge database search, 1 was found through the autopsy record search, and 4 were found in both searches. Overall maternal mortality ratios associated with active surveillance and routine surveillance were 24.3 and 13.0 deaths per 100 000 live births, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Active surveillance of maternal mortality is useful in identifying new maternal deaths. Existing databases can be used relatively easily to augment routine surveillance of maternal mortality.