Abstract
Introduction: Perinatal Quality Collaboratives (PQCs) are state multidisciplinary teams working to improve maternal and infant healthcare by implementing quality improvement (QI) initiatives and other activities (initiatives/activities). This study aimed to improve understanding of the scope of PQCs and their work across the USA from 2022 to 2023.
Methods: The National Network of PQCs conducted an online assessment of PQCs representing all 50 US states and the District of Columbia during May–July 2023. While the assessment included some historical questions, most questions asked PQCs to report on work conducted from 1 April 2022 to 31 March 2023. Descriptive statistics of assessment data—including PQC characteristics, participation, community partner engagement, QI initiatives, and activities—were calculated.
Results: The 45 responding PQCs were primarily housed in departments of health (35.6%), academic institutions (33.3%), or non-profit organisations (22.2%). Sixty-two percent of PQCs were established within the past 10 years (2014–2023). On average, 72.6% of birthing hospitals in each state participated in their PQC. Among the 26 PQCs with neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) participation, an average of 77.1% of NICUs in the state participated in their PQC. Thirty-two PQCs (71.1%) engaged with ≥1 patient/family member, and 30 PQCs (66.7%) engaged with ≥1 community-based organisation. PQCs reported on 195 initiatives/activities that they worked on during the reporting period. Twenty-six PQCs (57.8%) were working on 3–5 initiatives/activities. Most initiatives/activities were maternal-focused (n=105, 54.4%), followed by mother–infant–dyad-focused (n=53, 27.5%), and neonatal-focused (n=30, 15.5%). The most frequent initiative/activity topics were hypertensive disorders of pregnancy; substance use disorders among pregnant women; respectful care and non-medical factors that impact health; neonatal abstinence syndrome; and mental health among pregnant/postpartum women.
Conclusion: These findings illustrate the breadth of PQC work and how PQCs could contribute to national efforts to improve perinatal care.