ARKANSAS, USA — According to data from the CDC, Arkansas has the highest maternal mortality rate in the country, averaging 43.5 deaths per 100,000 live births.
That’s why more than 30 hospitals across the state are teaming up to help prevent maternal deaths.
The University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) is leading the effort to prevent maternal deaths through the Arkansas Perinatal Quality Collaborative (ARPQC), established in July 2023.
“We have 37 hospitals in Arkansas that deliver babies, and 34 of the 37 hospitals joined our collaborative,” said Dawn Brown, the program director.
A primary goal of the collaborative is to reduce primary C-sections when possible.
“Each time a mom has a cesarean section, her chance of having a possible accreta, which is where the placenta grows into the inside of the uterine wall, goes up, which leads to more bleeding and other emergency things that can happen. We know through research that if we can prevent that primary C-section, we set that mom up for success in the future,” Brown said.
On Tuesday, Mercy Hospital in Fort Smith and Rogers announced they are joining the efforts.
Dr. Dianna Juarez with Mercy Northwest Arkansas says joining the collaborative is an opportunity for learning and growth.
“We've done a great job of keeping our cesarean section rates lower, and we're looking for ways to promote natural safe birth in the hospital,” Dr. Juarez said.
When it comes to improving maternal outcomes, Dr. Juarez says there are also things mothers can do to help.
“Just knowing that you need to be as healthy as you can be, with a good diet, and exercise. The other thing is seeking early prenatal care, and allowing us to help educate and provide the information that's needed,” Dr. Juarez said.
Both Brown and Juarez emphasize that while the collaborative is working to promote safe natural birth, it’s also important for hospitals to be equipped for C-sections, as they can be a life-saving resource.
“We do want everyone to have a beautiful, perfect vaginal delivery, and while that's what everyone wants, it's not always something that can happen. There are some medical and fetal indications for cesarean delivery, and here at Mercy, we have everything that we need to do those interventions if they're necessary,” Dr. Juarez said.
Brown says it takes a team effort to improve maternal outcomes.
“Now, we're kind of all moving in the same direction and getting everybody kind of under the same tent. Doing that work together, I think, is what's going to be important for Arkansas,” Brown said.
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