THE VALUED VOICE

Grant Funds will Enhance Perinatal Care

Review team collaborates to improve maternal outcomes

With the support of WHA and other Wisconsin health care stakeholders, the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) has been awarded a five-year, $1.8 million grant from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). This grant will allow DHS to increase investment in the existing Wisconsin Maternal Mortality Review Team (MMRT). This Wisconsin task force convenes experts who meet quarterly to identify strategies that can decrease pregnancy complications, reduce maternal deaths and lessen disparities in Wisconsin.

In addition to submitting a letter of support, WHA has committed to DHS to:

• Serve on the task force, and assist in the development of the strategic plan,
• Assist with disseminating recommendations from the Task Force and with implementing recommendations from the Wisconsin Association for Perinatal Care/Wisconsin Perinatal Quality Collaborative, and
• Directly support the work of the Wisconsin Maternal Mortality Review Team, for example, by offering WHA staff responsible for quality and patient safety as active participants.

“WHA and its members appreciate DHS’s successful pursuit of these CDC grant funds to help the MMRT expand its work and spend more time developing recommendations to improve pregnancy outcomes,” noted Eric Borgerding, WHA president and CEO. “This team exemplifies the collaboration that is the hallmark of Wisconsin’s health care improvement efforts.”