Maternal-Child Health

The most recent Missouri Pregnancy-Associated Mortality Review Report found that 84% of pregnancy-related deaths were preventable. Mental health conditions, including substance use disorder, were the leading underlying cause of pregnancy-related deaths, followed by cardiovascular disease and then homicides.

MO PAMR recommends the implementation of standardized practices and procedures across the health care continuum through evidence-based practices, such as AIM bundles and developing collaborative community referral networks. MHA provides technical support, education and programming to improve the health care experience and outcomes for Missouri pregnant and postpartum people and their babies.

MHA sponsors the Missouri Perinatal Quality Collaborative in association with the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services. The PQC/Maternal-Child Learning and Action Network, a broad clinical and community network of maternal-child stakeholders, provides guidance and subject matter expertise to improving health and health care.

The MO PQC includes access to evidence-based initiatives, technical support, education and resources to support the reduction of severe maternal and infant morbidity and mortality. QI collaboratives are deployed for more complex topics and are designed to result in highly reliable processes and improved care outcomes. The MO PQC currently supports the following QI topics: severe hypertension in pregnancy, obstetric hemorrhage, perinatal mental health, maternal substance use disorder, and cardiac conditions of obstetric care. In addition, the PQC is actively supporting improving health outcomes for areas of maternal-infant deserts in Missouri  -- defined as counties lacking OB providers and services – and currently ranked 4th worst nationally. 

MO PQC Dashboards, including Hospital and Provider scorecards are available in collaboration with Hospital Industry Data Institute and support data driven actions and outcomes. Access to these data tools are available to MO PQC participating hospitals. 

MO PQC and the Maternal-Child Learning and Action Network convene the State Maternal Health Taskforce to support development of a state maternal health plan through a collaboration with SSM Health, MO DHSS, MHN and HRSA. 

QI collaboratives align with key MO PAMR findings and recommendations to mitigate causes of mortality in Missouri. Implementing vetted, evidence-based practices and creating clinical-community integration will serve to improve maternal and child health and outcomes, strengthen the health care and community-based workforce, and reduce preventable deaths. More information about each initiative is available on the Missouri PQC website.

• TeamSTEPPS Tools for Patient Safety Communication — PowerPoint | Recording
• MHA: High Reliability Organization Toolkit
• IHI: Improvement Tools
• Life QI:
  • Help Center
  • Quick Start Guide
• Missouri PQC: RSV Immunization for Pregnant People — PowerPoint | Recording