FORT SMITH — A local hospital has been recognized for its work as part of an initiative aimed at safely reducing cesarean birth rates.
Baptist Health-Fort Smith received a platinum banner from the Arkansas Perinatal Quality Collaborative for its accomplishments during the recently completed “Safe Reduction of Primary Cesarean Birth” initiative, according to a news release from the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences.
“We are extremely proud of the effort and accomplishments of the hospitals that participated in the initiative promoting vaginal birth,” said Jennifer Callaghan-Koru, executive director of the collaborative and an associate professor in the Fay W. Boozman College of Public Health at UAMS. “These banners communicate their strong commitment and accomplishments in maternal safety to their patients and communities.”
The collaborative is a network of health care organizations and experts that come together to improve maternal health care in the state, the release states. Since it was founded in 2022, the collaborative has completed two initiatives focused on safely reducing cesarean birth rates and preventing congenital syphilis. While the collaborative is coordinated by UAMS, all birthing hospitals in the state have participated and contributed to achieving the group’s mission to ensure a healthy start for all mothers and babies in Arkansas, according to the release.
In August, the collaborative is recruiting hospitals to participate in its third initiative focused on maternal health and well-being in the postpartum period, the release states. The initiative — “Postpartum Comprehensive Assessment, Resources and Education” — will support birthing hospitals to improve education and screenings for women before they are discharged from the hospital after birth, according to the release.
“Over half of maternal deaths in Arkansas occur postpartum,” said William “Sam” Greenfield, medical director for the collaborative, chair of the Arkansas Maternal Mortality Review Committee and professor in the UAMS Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology. “By proactively addressing the postpartum health needs of new moms, we can prevent deaths and hospital readmissions.”
For the postpartum initiative, the collaborative is partnering with the new Arkansas Center for Women and Infants Health. Hospitals that participate will receive support with implementing best practices, such as free staff training, clinical tools and presentations from national experts, according to the release. Participation in the state perinatal quality collaborative is also one of the criteria for a “birthing friendly hospital” designation from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, the release states.
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