CCMH is one of eight Oklahoma hospitals who recently received awards for providing excellence in perinatal care from the Oklahoma Perinatal Quality Improvement Collaborative. The awards were presented at the seventh annual summit of the Oklahoma Perinatal Quality Improvement Collaborative (OPQIC) on Oct. 2. Approximately 200 providers and advocates of maternal and infant care came together at the virtual event to acknowledge efforts and celebrate progress toward improving outcomes for Oklahoma’s mothers and babies.
Hospitals receiving the “Spotlight Hospital Awards” were recognized for participation and sustained improvement in the areas of early elective deliveries (inducing labor and scheduling cesarean births before 39 weeks without a medical reason), education to prevent abusive head trauma (commonly known as shaken baby syndrome), modeling and promoting safe sleep practices, accurate newborn screening, creating an environment that is supportive of best practices in maternity care and breastfeeding, and being prepared for obstetrical emergencies (such as hemorrhage and preeclampsia) through training, guidelines and hospital resources.
Oklahoma’s infant mortality and severe maternal illness rate have both decreased by approximately 20% since these initiatives have begun. OPQIC expressed thanks to Oklahoma birthing hospitals and other partners for their dedication and commitment to improvement of maternal and infant health outcomes in Oklahoma.