UnityPoint Health – Meriter is the largest single birthing hospital in the state of Wisconsin, delivering over 5,000 babies each year. Birthing individuals are not immune to mental health issues and substance use disorder (SUD). Wisconsin Maternal Mortality Review Team 2020 data indicate 10,543 birthing individuals had mental health or substance use disorders at the time of delivery. Thirty-eight percent of all pregnancy-related deaths were caused by mental health conditions. Eighty-eight percent of pregnancy-related deaths caused by mental health conditions were due to an overdose.

UW obstetrics (OB) providers led a multidisciplinary team, providing knowledge and tools to the OB providers and registered nurses (RNs) at UnityPoint Health – Meriter. Online resources and tools were provided along with a pre- and post-assessment of knowledge. Statistically significant improvements in provider and staff knowledge were demonstrated by the post-assessment. 

Pharmacy leadership facilitated loading Naloxone HOPE Kits into the automated dispensing cabinets in OB units. OB providers and RNs were empowered to assess, educate and offer Naloxone HOPE kits to patients at risk in antepartum and upon discharge from post-partum.