When a provider calls the AFE Foundation Hotline, it’s often during one of the most critical and difficult moments of their career. On the other end of the phone is a calm, experienced clinician ready to help guide them through the chaos.
What Is the AFE Hotline?
The AFE Hotline is a 24/7 resource operated by the AFE Foundation, providing real-time clinical support to healthcare teams across the country who are facing a suspected AFE. The hotline connects frontline providers to expert volunteer physicians and nurses who can offer immediate guidance, direct teams to AFE-specific protocols, and help with the urgent coordination of specimen collection for ongoing research.
This service has become a vital part of our mission to improve outcomes and save lives during this devastating obstetric emergency, and collect vital specimens needed to better understand AFE.
Why Volunteers Matter
The success of our hotline depends on a dedicated group of clinical volunteers — experienced MDs, DOs, and critical care RNs — who make themselves available for on-call shifts to be that voice of support in a crisis. These clinicians aren’t just answering phones. They’re providing reassurance, evidence-based direction, and helping facilitate the rapid, coordinated response that AFE demands.
Provider recently told us after a call:
“I had never seen an AFE before. I was overwhelmed. Hearing a calm voice walk me through the next steps was everything I needed in that moment.”
“We can’t thank your organization enough for talking us through the case, grounding us after, we had no idea
What’s Involved
We are currently recruiting new clinical volunteers to join our hotline team. Here’s what the role entails:
- One two-week on-call shift every 6 months (24/7 coverage during that period)
- Answering calls and being patched in by our answering service
- Providing immediate clinical guidance and referring providers to AFE resources
- Assisting in early specimen collection coordination until the AFE Foundation staff can take over
- Upholding HIPAA compliance and following established protocols
Volunteers will receive a brief training video and access to AFE Foundation materials to prepare for their role.
You Can Be the Voice of Calm in the Chaos
Whether you’ve managed an AFE before or want to contribute your expertise in maternal or critical care, your presence on the hotline can make a profound difference, not only for the clinical team but for the families impacted.
This is an opportunity to be part of something rare and meaningful: real-time, peer-to-peer support during some of the most critical moments in maternal care.
Interested in Volunteering?
Please fill out our volunteer interest form. After submission, we’ll be in touch with the next steps and training materials.
Thank you for being part of our community.
