Project Abstract Summary
Maternal mortality is of significant concern to Kentucky, with even one death considered too many. In recent years, multiple legislative and public health efforts have been developed, and initiated to fully understand the cause, manner and circumstances that lead to a maternal death. With a rising rate of deaths, Kentucky Maternal and Child Health (MCH) became the leader in driving data informed strategic planning for establishment of a multidisciplinary maternal review committee (MMRC). The mission established was for each identified maternal death to have a comprehensive review to identify clinical, community, and socioeconomic factors that may have influenced outcomes before, during, and after pregnancy.
Data informed action further supported the establishment of the Kentucky Perinatal Quality Collaborative (KyPQC) and achievement of Alliance for Innovation on Maternal Health (AIM) status with further focus and action aimed at increasing awareness and dissemination of best practice efforts. Data is available from multiple data sources and informs prioritization of state actions and prevention activities. Kentucky MMRC data found over 90% of maternal deaths had some level of preventability with intervention. Over 50% have substance use disorder as a root cause of either clinical action, behaviors, and lack of prenatal care and continuity of care beyond delivery. Limitations of the health care access system have been identified, and provider shortages noted in areas of high risk urban and rural communities.
The purpose of this application for funding is focused upon increasing the state level workforce capacity to improve timeliness of review, data evaluation, and dissemination of best practice efforts to prevent further maternal deaths.
