It is unlikely that the wide variation in the avail- ability of PPH preparedness elements in these different types of hospitals is unique to the two states surveyed. Thus, these data underscore
the need for public health leaders and hospital
administrators to thoroughly and objectively
assess hospital-level PPH preparedness and
develop targeted interventions. In addition,
leaders should not underestimate the time and
resources needed to ensure that all women who
give birth in the United States have equal access
to hospitals with all of the recommended PPH
preparedness elements in place regardless of
their race or ethnicity. These data will be infor-mative in guiding the development of other na- tional or state-based QI efforts that are designed to improve hospital-level PPH preparedness. One
key component in the elimination of preventable
and costly maternal morbidity and mortality in the
United States is to increase hospital-level PPH
preparedness.