Transforming Postpartum Care: Postpartum Bracelet Pilot Set to Go Statewide
We are thrilled to announce that the ALPQC Postpartum Bracelet pilot program will be expanding statewide by the end of the first quarter in January, thanks to the generous sponsorship by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama and the Caring Foundation. This expansion marks a significant milestone in our ongoing efforts to improve maternal health outcomes across Alabama.
The Postpartum Bracelet pilot program has been instrumental in providing new mothers with critical health information and support during the postpartum period. The bracelets are designed to help doctors, nurses, and first responders recognize potential post-pregnancy health conditions in the event of a medical emergency. Postpartum patients are encouraged to wear the bracelet for at least six weeks for their health and safety.
In addition to the bracelets, we are excited to introduce the Speed Pass, a new tool for self-advocacy and education created by the ALPQC. The Speed Pass is designed for patients to present to their healthcare providers, alerting them to potential postpartum complications and ensuring timely and appropriate care.
The success of this initiative would not have been possible without the dedication and hard work of our seven pilot hospitals: Baptist Medical Center South, Brookwood Baptist Medical Center, Huntsville Hospital for Women & Children, Jackson Hospital, UAB Women & Infants Center, UAB St. Vincent’s, and Walker Baptist Medical Center. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to these institutions for their unwavering commitment to maternal health.
A special thank you goes to USA Children’s & Women’s Hospital, the first hospital in Alabama to launch a postpartum bracelet program. Their pioneering efforts have paved the way for this statewide expansion, and we are deeply grateful for their partnership and innovation.
As we move forward, we are excited to bring the benefits of the Postpartum Bracelet program and the Speed Pass to more mothers and families across the state. Together, with the support of BCBS of Alabama and the Caring Foundation, we are making strides towards a healthier future for families across Alabama.
Thank you for your continued support and dedication to improving maternal and infant health in Alabama.
Neonatal Initiatives
Teams continue to make great progress in the Neonatal Hypothermia Prevention Initiative this quarter, seeing overall reductions in both hyper and hypothermia across the state. Looking back at what teams have been able to achieve throughout 2024, we are excited to share that in 2024:
Our Level 1 and 2 NICU teams decreased:
- Any Hypothermia from 18.07% to 15.90%
- Mild Hypothermia from 16.27% to 13.15%
- and Hyperthermia from 9.34% to 7.34%
While in our Expanded Delivery Room (Golden Hour) Project, our Level 3 and 4 NICU teams decreased:
- Any hypothermia from 34.78% to 26.53%
- Intubation rates from 50.00% to 34.69%
- and severe IVH rates from 10.87% to 4.08%
These are great achievements and showcase the hard work that teams committed all year to improving patient outcomes.
Looking forward, areas we hope to continue to make advances in include decreasing mild and/or moderate IVH rates in infants less than 32 weeks as well as decreasing the amount of moderate to severely hypothermic infants greater than 32 weeks.
Thank you to all the hospital teams who dedicate their time and effort to making these valuable advances in neonatal care and for participating in this initiative alongside the ALPQC.
Obstetric Initiatives
Since its launch in January 2024, the ALPQC Obstetric Hemorrhage Initiative has made significant strides in improving maternal health outcomes. This initiative aims to enhance the quality of care for patients experiencing obstetric hemorrhage, a leading cause of maternal morbidity and mortality.
Key Achievements (from Baseline to present):
- Risk Assessments increased from 87% to 95%
- Use of Quantitative Blood Loss (QBL) increased from 72% to 86%
- Severe Maternal Morbidity (SMM) decreased from 2.05% to 1.64%
- SMM among patients with an ICD-10 diagnosis related to obstetric hemorrhage decreased from 14.91% to 7.69%
We will continue to focus on enhancing patient support after an obstetric hemorrhage and the documented use of postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) protocols. Providing comprehensive care and resources to patients during recovery is essential for their long-term health and well-being.
Thanks to the efforts of all hospitals in the initiative, we have made outstanding progress. The ALPQC remains committed to supporting hospitals with the necessary resources, education materials, and 1-on-1 quality coaching. By continuing to refine and implement best practices, the outlook is very promising for reducing maternal morbidity and mortality associated with obstetric hemorrhage.