Although the number of women in Texas who die during or after childbirth has been significantly revised downward, there’s no question the state still has a major crisis on its hands.
To deal with that crisis, the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) has partnered with the Alliance for Innovation on Maternal Health (AIM) to bring to Texas a nationwide initiative that helps hospitals, physicians, and nurses work collaboratively to improve maternal safety.
The program, called TexasAIM, uses collections of best practices, known as bundles, that focus on specific maternal health and safety topics, including:
Texas is one of 17 states implementing one or more of the voluntary AIM bundles. Twenty-five Texas hospitals have officially signed up to implement AIM, and more than 100 others have indicated their intention to join.
To help spread the word, the Texas Hospital Association in partnership with DSHS will host an hour-long webinar for hospital, physician, and nursing leaders about TexasAIM, how to participate, and how to enroll.
The free webinar is set for 11 am (Central) May 8. Registration can be found through the THA and the DSHS websites.
Additionally, on June 4, DSHS will host a day-long seminar to educate interested health care professionals about AIM. The seminar is scheduled to be held at the J.J Pickle Research Center, 10100 Burnet Road in Austin. Registration is now open.
The Texas Medical Association has been actively working to reduce maternal deaths, including hosting a Maternal Health Congress in March that explored options for the next legislative session, which will begin in January.
More information on how you can help reduce maternal mortality and morbidity in Texas can be found on TMA’s website.