Community has proudly partnered with Fresno County in an awareness campaign supporting pregnant and/or recently delivered patients who have a diagnosis or risk of preeclampsia or other hypertensive disorder.
Patients showing symptoms of preeclampsia — a life-threatening condition that can lead to heart attack or stroke — are given blue wristbands to wear throughout their pregnancy and up to 12 weeks after delivery.
The wristbands, available at Community Regional and Clovis Community medical centers, alert medical teams to patients’ risk. Criteria for those who receive a band include:
- Having risk factors for, or being diagnosed with, a high blood pressure disorder
- Having a hypertensive disorder with risk for seizure, stroke, organ damage or death
Blue bands are a visual alert for medical teams
The Preeclampsia Foundation says the rate of preeclampsia in the U.S. has increased by 25% in the last two decades and is a leading cause of maternal and infant illness and death. However, 60% of these deaths are preventable. That’s where the blue bands can help.
“The blue band is a visual trigger,” said Evelyn Hickson, Clinical Nurse Specialist, Community Regional Medical Center. “A patient comes into the doctor’s office, they’re going to see this and know she’s at risk.”
Patients are instructed to always wear the band, including at home, in the event emergency medical services (EMS) are needed. The silicone bands can be worn in the shower or while swimming.
The blue band partnership between Community and Fresno County also includes education for EMS teams and providers about preeclampsia and what to look for in symptomatic patients.
Pilot program will eventually be used in other facilities
The Blue Band program has been successfully implemented in healthcare facilities across the nation. Community’s program will act as a pilot that will eventually become the blueprint for other medical facilities in the region.
“I know this program is going to be successful,” said Hickson. “We’re going to see a lot of positive outcomes from this program.”
