6th Annual KyPQC Meeting: Advancing Maternal and Infant Health in Kentucky

The Kentucky Perinatal Quality Collaborative (KyPQC) is holding its 6th Annual Meeting on Wednesday, Sept. 11, 2024, from 7:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. CT at the Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame and Museum in Owensboro, KY. The meeting offers both in-person and virtual attendance options to ensure widespread participation.

The KyPQC, which includes the Kentucky Injury Prevention and Research Center (KIPRC) housed within the University of Kentucky College of Public Health, is a statewide network of birthing hospitals and stakeholder teams dedicated to improving the quality of care during pregnancy, delivery, and the first year of life. 

The primary objective of this year’s meeting is to provide cross-disciplinary educational content to support professionals dedicated to improving perinatal care. 

“We aim to offer the latest clinical practice guidelines, profile evidence-based processes, and emphasize the importance of integrating social support with clinical resources to enhance outcomes,” said Monica Clouse, MPH, CPH, KyPQC Program Manager.

Highlights of the event include:

• Maternal Morbidity and Mortality Data Review by maternal child health epidemiologist James Cousett, MPH and Dana Quesinberry, JD, DrPH, Assistant Professor, University of Kentucky, College of Public Health;
• Maternal Health Equity discussion with Edward Miller, MD, FACOG, Division Director of Maternal Fetal Medicine with University of Louisville;
• Award ceremony recognizing First Initiatives Pilot Hospitals, led by Monica Clouse;
• Gun Violence and Maternal Mortality presentation by Coy Flowers, MD, UK Healthcare OB/GYN;
• Postpartum Mental Health and SUD Screening Initiatives outcomes shared by Allison Webb, BSN, RN, SANE, Head Nurse Manager, Labor & Delivery, Postpartum, and Newborn Nursery Units at Harlan ARH Hospital, the Women’s and Children’s Health Service Line Director for ARH, Rita Crum, MSN, RN and Joann Wray, DNP,RN, MBA, NEA-BC Patient Care Services Director with Norton Hospital; 
• HANDS (Health Access Nurturing Development Services) Home Visitation: Impacting Families One Visit at a Time, led by Shawna Donaldson, MSW, CSW, Human Services Program Supervisor, Kentucky Department for Public Health; and
• REFOCUS Study Findings on Black maternal health substance use disorder interventions presented by Brittany Miller-Roenigk, PhD, Assistant Professor at the University of Kentucky, Department of Education, School, and Counseling Psychology.

The selection of topics, such as maternal health equity and perinatal mental health concerns, highlights their importance. 

"State and national data reveal that these issues are leading contributors to maternal morbidity and mortality," noted Clouse. "Our meeting will deliver actionable insights and strategies to address these pressing concerns." 

The KyPQC is committed to implementing data-driven, evidence-based processes to improve care for all Kentucky mothers and infants, including promoting the Alliance for Innovation on Maternal Health (AIM)‘s "Perinatal Mental Health Conditions" patient safety bundle in the coming year. According to AIM, “The bundle provides actionable steps that can be adapted to a variety of facilities and resource levels to improve quality of care and outcomes for patients with perinatal mental health conditions.”  The goal of the mental health bundle and other efforts is to narrow the maternal morbidity and mortality disparity gap by ensuring equitable, respectful, and supportive care for all.

Why Attend? 

Maternal health is essential for the well-being of future generations. With rising maternal mortality rates, particularly among marginalized communities, this meeting will focus on data-driven strategies to improve care and outcomes. 

“Our mission is to tackle the critical need for effective and equitable maternal care,” added Clouse.

Register Now!

Registration will remain open until midnight on Sept. 10, 2024. With a cap of 150 in-person attendees, early registration is encouraged. For more information and to register, visit https://www.cecentral.com/live/25431