AIM Obstetric Emergency Readiness Kit

The AIM Obstetric Emergency Readiness Kit is a collection of best practices designed to help healthcare teams prepare for and respond to serious obstetric emergencies. Developed by the Alliance for Innovation on Maternal Health (AIM), the kit’s primary purpose is to support appropriate, timely care in settings that may not routinely provide obstetric services. This includes rural hospitals, emergency departments, and clinics with limited resources or staffing.

The kit includes clinical protocols, supply and medication checklists, simulation tools, and team communication guides. It promotes consistent, evidence-based care and strengthens readiness across the healthcare team.

Why it matters for rural Iowa:
In many rural communities, obstetric care is limited or no longer offered on-site. This resource is especially valuable for facilities that may only occasionally encounter pregnant or postpartum patients but still need to be prepared to respond to emergencies such as hemorrhage, hypertension, sepsis, or embolism. The kit provides a practical roadmap to improve maternal safety and support participation in perinatal quality improvement initiatives.

How to Access the Kit:
All materials are available free of charge at the AIM website. Facilities can download the toolkit, access emergency-specific guidance, and find resources tailored to different care settings.

IRHA encourages rural providers to incorporate this toolkit into their emergency preparedness plans to improve maternal outcomes across Iowa.