Enhancing Maternal Safety

In recent years, the focus on maternal safety has gained significant attention, with organizations worldwide striving to improve care for pregnant women and postpartum mothers. At the forefront of this movement, the Montana Perinatal Quality Collaborative has been pivotal in guiding hospitals toward adopting best practices to enhance outcomes for expecting families. Since joining this initiative in 2023, NEMHS has been dedicated to implementing patient safety measures, such as tackling obstetric sepsis and reviewing severe hypertension protocols. This commitment continues to grow as new projects aim to address perinatal mental health and the care of mothers dealing with substance use disorders. By collaborating with experts and other hospitals, NEMHS is committed to making a tangible difference in maternal care and safety.

The Montana Perinatal Quality Collaborative

Improving Maternal Care Statewide

The Montana Perinatal Quality Collaborative (MPQC) began its mission in 2021 to enhance maternal care across the state. This group invites hospitals to join forces in implementing Patient Safety bundles from the Alliance for Innovation on Maternal Health (AIM). These bundles are sets of evidence-based practices designed to improve maternal health outcomes. The main goal of the MPQC is to lower the rates of maternal illness and death while boosting the overall quality of care for mothers. By bringing together healthcare providers and experts, the collaborative creates a powerful network focused on the well-being of pregnant women and new mothers in Montana.

NEMHS Joins the Effort

First Steps in Enhancing Maternal Safety

NEMHS took a big step forward in maternal care by joining the MPQC in 2023. In our first year, we focused on making changes to address obstetric sepsis, a serious condition that can affect pregnant women and new mothers. This work involved updating our practices to quickly identify and treat sepsis in obstetric patients. For 2024, we’ve expanded our efforts to include improving how we transition patients from hospital care to home care after childbirth. We’re also taking a fresh look at our policies for managing severe high blood pressure and heavy bleeding during pregnancy and childbirth. These changes are all part of our commitment to keeping pregnant women and new mothers safe and healthy.

Looking Ahead: Mental Health and Substance Use

As we move into 2025, NEMHS is getting ready to tackle two more critical areas of maternal health. We’ll be working on improving our care for pregnant women and new mothers who are dealing with mental health issues. This is a common but often overlooked aspect of maternal health that can have a big impact on both mother and baby. We’ll also be focusing on how to better care for pregnant and postpartum women who are struggling with substance use disorders. By addressing these complex issues, we aim to provide more complete and compassionate care to all the mothers we serve, no matter what challenges they may face.

Collaborative Learning and Improvement

Sharing Knowledge for Better Care

One of the best parts of being in the MPQC is the chance to learn from others. We regularly join education calls where we hear from experts from all over. These calls give us new ideas and information about the best ways to care for pregnant women and new mothers. We also get to talk with other hospitals in Montana about what they’re doing to make maternal care safer and better. This sharing of knowledge helps us all improve faster and more effectively. It’s not just about learning from others, though. We also get one-on-one coaching sessions that help us figure out the best ways to make changes in our own hospital and keep track of how we’re doing.

Seeing Real Results

The work we’re doing with the MPQC is more than just plans on paper. We’re seeing real changes happen in our hospital. Our staff is learning new skills and information that they use every day to take better care of pregnant women and new mothers. The patients we serve are also feeling the difference. They’re getting more informed care, better support, and ultimately, safer experiences during pregnancy and after giving birth. As we continue to work with the MPQC, we’re excited about the positive impact we’re having on the health of mothers and babies in our community.

A Commitment to Ongoing Improvement

Building a Safer Future for Mothers

At NEMHS, we’re proud of the progress we’ve made so far, but we know there’s always room to do better. Our work with the MPQC is an ongoing commitment to keep learning, changing, and improving. We’re always looking for new ways to make pregnancy and childbirth safer and more positive experiences for the women we serve. Whether it’s updating our practices based on the latest research or finding new ways to support mothers with mental health or substance use challenges, we’re dedicated to providing the best possible care. Our goal is to make sure every pregnant woman and new mother who comes through our doors feels safe, supported, and well-cared for.

NEMHS’s Commitment to Maternal Care

At NEMHS, we recognize the critical importance of providing top-notch care for pregnant women and new mothers. Our commitment to maternal care is at the heart of our mission to serve our community.

We’ve made it a priority to stay at the forefront of best practices in maternal health. This commitment led us to join the Montana Perinatal Quality Collaborative in 2023, a decision that has already begun to transform our approach to maternal care.

By participating in this collaborative, we’re able to tap into a wealth of knowledge and resources. This allows us to bring the latest advancements in maternal health directly to our patients, ensuring they receive the best possible care throughout their pregnancy and postpartum journey.

Our team at NEMHS is dedicated to continuous learning and improvement. We regularly attend educational sessions and collaborate with other hospitals to share insights and best practices, all with the goal of enhancing the care we provide to mothers and babies in our community.

AIM Safety Bundles Explained

AIM Safety Bundles are a cornerstone of our efforts to improve maternal care. These bundles, developed by the Alliance for Innovation on Maternal Health (AIM), are evidence-based practices designed to enhance patient safety and outcomes.

Each safety bundle focuses on a specific aspect of maternal care, such as obstetric hemorrhage, severe hypertension, or sepsis. They provide a structured approach to addressing these critical issues, ensuring that our staff is well-prepared to handle potential complications.

The bundles typically include:

1. Readiness elements: Ensuring we have the right equipment and protocols in place
2. Recognition and prevention strategies: Training staff to identify and mitigate risks early
3. Response protocols: Providing clear guidelines for how to act when issues arise
4. Reporting and systems learning: Analyzing our performance to continually improve

By implementing these safety bundles, we’re able to standardize our approach to maternal care, reducing variability and improving outcomes. This systematic approach helps us provide consistent, high-quality care to every mother who walks through our doors.

Implementing Safety Bundles

Tackling Obstetric Sepsis

Obstetric sepsis is a serious condition that can threaten the lives of pregnant women and new mothers. At NEMHS, we’ve made it a priority to address this risk through the implementation of the AIM Obstetric Sepsis Safety Bundle.

Our approach to tackling obstetric sepsis involves a multi-faceted strategy. We’ve enhanced our screening protocols to identify at-risk patients early, allowing for prompt intervention. This includes regular temperature checks and monitoring of vital signs throughout a patient’s stay.

Education has been a key component of our efforts. We’ve provided comprehensive training to our staff on the signs and symptoms of sepsis, ensuring they’re equipped to recognize potential cases quickly. This knowledge empowers our team to act swiftly when concerns arise.

We’ve also streamlined our treatment protocols, ensuring that antibiotics can be administered rapidly when sepsis is suspected. This quick response time can make a crucial difference in patient outcomes.

Continuous monitoring and feedback have been integral to our success. We regularly review our sepsis cases to identify areas for improvement and share lessons learned across our team.

Transitioning Discharge Practices

As part of our commitment to comprehensive maternal care, we’ve focused on improving our discharge practices for new mothers. This transition period is crucial for ensuring the ongoing health and well-being of both mother and baby.

Our new discharge transition bundle, implemented as part of our 2024 project, aims to provide seamless support as mothers move from hospital care to home. We’ve developed a comprehensive checklist to ensure all essential information is covered before discharge.

A key aspect of this bundle is our focus on patient education. We provide detailed guidance on postpartum care, breastfeeding support, and recognizing signs of potential complications. This empowers new mothers with the knowledge they need to care for themselves and their newborns confidently.

Additionally, we’ve strengthened our connections with community resources, ensuring that mothers have access to ongoing support after they return home. This includes referrals to lactation consultants, mental health services, and other maternal health resources as needed.

Future Projects and Support

Looking ahead, NEMHS is committed to expanding our maternal care initiatives. Our future projects focus on critical areas of maternal health, including mental health and substance use disorders, to provide comprehensive support for all mothers in our care.

Focus on Mental Health

Mental health is a crucial aspect of maternal well-being, yet it often goes overlooked. At NEMHS, we’re preparing to launch a new initiative focused on perinatal mental health as part of our 2025 project.

This project will involve comprehensive screening for mental health conditions throughout pregnancy and the postpartum period. We’re training our staff to recognize signs of postpartum depression, anxiety, and other mental health concerns that can affect new mothers.

We’re also developing a network of mental health resources specifically tailored for pregnant women and new mothers. This includes partnerships with local mental health providers and support groups.

Our goal is to create a supportive environment where mothers feel comfortable discussing their mental health concerns. We believe that by addressing mental health proactively, we can improve overall outcomes for both mothers and babies.

Lastly, we’re working on integrating mental health support into our regular prenatal and postpartum care routines. This holistic approach ensures that mental health is given the same priority as physical health throughout a mother’s journey.

Addressing Substance Use Disorders

Another critical focus of our future projects is addressing substance use disorders in pregnant and postpartum women. This complex issue requires a compassionate and comprehensive approach.

We’re developing a specialized care program for pregnant women with substance use disorders, based on the guidelines provided by AIM. This program will offer non-judgmental support and evidence-based treatment options.

Our approach includes:

• Early screening and intervention
• Medication-assisted treatment when appropriate
• Counseling and behavioral therapy
• Coordination with social services and child welfare agencies

We’re also focusing on education, both for our staff and for patients. This includes training on the unique needs of pregnant women with substance use disorders and providing information on the risks of substance use during pregnancy.

Collaboration is key in addressing this issue. We’re partnering with local substance use treatment centers and support programs to ensure continuity of care for our patients.

By addressing substance use disorders head-on, we aim to improve outcomes for both mothers and babies, reducing the risk of complications and supporting healthy family units.