The Texas Department of State Health Services released the 2022 Morbidity and Mortality Report, showing that obstetric hemorrhage was the leading cause of pregnancy-related death in Texas, with mental health second. The report shows racial disparities persist and discrimination contributed to 12% of pregnancy-related deaths in 2019.
Diving into Social Determinants of Health
It is common for patients to leave the hospital and not get prescriptions or health-related services post-discharge. These factors, some of which are external to the healthcare system, still affect a person’s health. Therefore, hospitals have begun addressing social determinants of health, also known as health-related social needs. Examples of social determinants of health include employment, transportation, and access to medicine and food. Social determinants of health make up 80% of the care that patients need for optimal health. Everyone has social determinants that affect their health, and for those who lack the resources to meet their needs, there are community organizations and programs to address these needs.
The theme of the 2023 Texas Collaborative for Health Mothers and Babies Summit is Social Determinants of Health and How They Impact Maternal and Neonatal Outcomes. Our aim is to provide examples from other Perinatal Quality Collaboratives, hospitals and partner organizations and programs to show that addressing social determinants of health can improve birth outcomes for mothers and babies, beyond the first year of birth. Hospitals are learning it is not enough to document needs or even supply a list of services. Some patients need navigators and advocates who can walk alongside them for a period. Therefore, some of the Summit sessions will include how and when to measure social needs; how to find partners to address social needs; how to refer patients in a meaningful way; and how to ensure or document how patients’ needs have been met, also known as closing the loop.
To learn more about social determinants of health, what your organization can do, and tools, visit the following websites:
https://www.aha.org/social-determinants-health/populationcommunity-health/community-partnerships - See article – Emerging Strategies to Ensure Access to Health Care Services – Social Determinants of Health
A Few Good Reasons for Neonatal Hospitals to Access the NAT Data Dashboard
New CDC Grant will Bring a Health Equity Framework to TCHMB
September is National Suicide Prevention Month
NAT is TCHMB's largest Statewide Initiative to Date
The Newborn Temperature Admission (NAT) Project posted new data from the Jan.-March reporting period, showing a majority of hospitals participating, the largest initiative in TCHMB’s history. When the April-June 2022 data is complete (due July 31st), the hospital level data will be shared back via the dashboard. The hospital level dashboard can establish a “baseline” and prepare for implementing evidence-based guidelines to increase the proportion of newborn infants with admission temperatures within normal limits. Read the Jan.-March summary report here.
Key Points:
An astounding 76 percent of enrolled hospitals reported data for the period.
There are currently 160 hospitals enrolled, making it TCHMB’s largest statewide initiative to date.
This is the first time a TCHMB initiative has tracked data by race/ethnicity.
Why it matters:
By tracking data from each hospital, the NAT project can complete statewide analyses, including by region or type and size of hospital, as well as hospital-specific analyses.
Testimonials from NAT Project Ahead of Hospital-Level Dashboard
Only July 31, 2022, hospitals actively participating in the Newborn Admission Temperature Project will submit another round of data, marking one full year of data collection. This data will allow TCHMB to provide participating hospitals with hypothermia prevalence at their own hospitals, and more. Having a full year of data means that the estimates are more reliable, and can provide meaningful insights into patterns at the state and regional levels.
The NAT project is the largest in TCHMB history with 160 hospitals enrolled. During the most recent round of data reporting, over 75% of enrolled hospitals submitted data to TCHMB. See what some hospitals are saying, after nearly one year of participating in the NAT project:
Memorial Hermann Health System decided to participate in the project because we consider the work that TCHMB is doing as important, and we are focusing on reducing disparity in equity, diversity, and inclusion work.
With 25,000 deliveries a year, we were faced with a daunting project to obtain race and ethnicity on each newborn and collect temperatures according to the different parameters for well baby and NICU. We leveraged our ability to create documentation reports and perform data analysis to avoid the manual tracking and chart review, cutting down manual validation by an estimated 95%.
- Memorial Hermann Health System
The project was a definite challenge for our institution because of the large number of patients we care for. Obtaining data was very labor intensive and required working with a data architect to get a custom report built. Building the report, obtaining data outside of our NICUs and validating data were all challenges we encountered which required a lot of time, but we eventually overcame those challenges.
- Texas Children’s Hospital
In 2019-2020, Doctors Hospital of Laredo (DHL) solely tackled the newborn admission temperature QI project knowing that thermoregulation is the holy grail of neonatology. Huge strides were made towards adequate thermoregulation of the newborn, bringing DHL very close in achieving the goal.
In late 2020, when TCHMB announced the QI initiative of Newborn Admission Temperature (NAT) to increase newborn health care quality and patient safety; DHL did not hesitate in enrolling. We are hopeful in reaching the goal and provide quality care to every single baby born at DHL by participating in the state-wide NAT project.
Thank you for allowing us to participate.
- Doctors Hospital of Laredo
If your hospital has questions about the project or needs technical assistance in reporting to the project, visit NAT Office Hours, every Wednesday from 12-2 p.m. CST.
Q&A with Dr. Sarah Wakefield
A Majority of Birthing Hospitals Enrolled in NAT Project
Recommendations related to COVID-19 Vaccination in Pregnancy
TCHMB would like to share resources regarding recommendations related to COVID-19 vaccination in pregnancy from the Center for Disease Control (CDC), the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine (SMFM) and the Department of State Health Services (DSHS). Click to read each organization’s recommendations and resources. Additionally, DSHS has created free waiting room posters and social media posts that can be found here.