Pikeville Medical Center (PMC) joins forces with Kentucky’s newest initiative to save lives and make KY the best place to give birth and to be born.
The Launch of the Kentucky Perinatal Quality Collaborative (KyPQC) brought together some of the Commonwealth’s best organizers to create an active collaboration to improve the quality of perinatal care.
Women’s and newborn healthcare providers and public health professionals gathered to discuss tangible efforts to improve the access of care for mothers and newborns.
The launch took place at Churchill Downs in Louisville, KY.
PMC’s Neonatologist Todd Hambleton, MD, Director of Women’s and Children’s Services Tondra Blevins, RN and NICU Clinical Manager Jodi Ison, RN represented PMC at the inaugural meeting.
Dr. Hambleton said, “It is exciting to see healthcare providers throughout the Commonwealth join forces to protect our mothers and babies. I look forward to working closely with this new initiative.” Networking is an incredible opportunity to improve care and share valuable information that helps everyone involved.
“I was impressed to see the number of people come together from other states and bring their resources to help make our initiative successful,” stated Ison.
She says making health care better for mothers and babies is a focus that crosses state lines bring together the best our country has to offer.
“At PMC we nurture a culture of safety for our patients. We work hard to educate families about what to expect with a new baby and how to take care of the child and the mother’s health needs,” said PMC Asst. CEO, Sr. VP and Chief Medical Officer Aaron Crum, MD. “KyPQC gives physicians, nurses and other providers additional data to decrease infections and save lives.
“A resounding challenge to turn complications into positive outcomes was a common thread throughout the day.
Dr. Crum said, “This great resource could not be more timely. The issues we face with substance abuse in our local communities and throughout the country have had a tremendous impact compromising healthcare for mothers and babies.”
He says developing relationships through this collaboration brings health care providers together to strategically attack the problems surrounding these difficult cases.
Blevins added, “I feel that most health care providers will agree that the implementation of safety bundles will help us make sure we are giving quality care and will help us save even more lives.
We are committed to making the great care we already give even better.”
Topics discussed at the launch of KyPQC included an overview of maternal mortality in KY, the role of the KY Maternal Mortality Review Committee, successfully implementing change and responding to the Opioid Crisis. There was also an emotional, personal account from Charles Johnson IV, Founder of 4Kira4Moms and an advocate for maternal health and wellness. He detailed the delivery of his son and the loss of his wife due to complications of childbirth.
The group wrapped up the day with breakout sessions, discussions about moving the group forward and a private tour of the Derby Museum.
