TIPQC Annual Retreat

The TIPQC team recently met to plan and prepare for the upcoming year - and for the next five years. Send any suggestions for upcoming work to brenda.barker@TIPQC.org

Hospital Site Visits

Ongoing site visit opportunities are available to discuss hospital Severe Maternal Morbidity (SMM), resources, and available opportunities. September site visits were to Cumberland Medical Center, Cookeville Medical Center, Ascension St. Thomas Midtown, Hardin Medical Center, University of Tennessee - Knoxville, Maury Regional Medical Center, Vanderbilt Tullahoma Harton Hospital, Regional One Health, West Tennessee Healthcare - Martin, Erlanger Medical Center, Erlanger East, Baptist Memorial Hospital, Regional One Medical Center, and Parkwest Medical Center. Representative Caleb Hemmer also joined the visit at Midtown.

Respectful Care Lunch

As a part of the BEST for All project, a Respectful Care Lunch was held on September 4 at Niswonger Children's Hospital. Sign up for your hospital today with Anastacia.Volz@TIPQC.org.

Community Resource Spotlight

March of Dimes is committed to the health of all moms and babies through advocacy, research, education, support and resources to the community. In TN, there is a NICU Family Support program coordinator at Regional One Health in Memphis. MOD hosts the Meals that Matter program every November in honor of Prematurity Awareness Month providing meals, care kits, and handwritten notes for families in the NICU across the state. MOD hosts the annual TN March for Change Advocacy Day on the hill in Nashville every March and hosts a March for Babies Walk in Nashville and Memphis. To learn more or get involved reach out to ABrown@marchofdimes.org.

Cumberland Medical Center (CMC) Spotlight

In partnership with Mamas on the Mend, CMC is dedicated to walking alongside families through the heartbreak of infant loss. The program is individualized, comprehensive and family centered ensuring every parent, sibling and loved one receive the care and support needed. Some things offered are keepsakes and memory making such as castings, memory boxes, weighted bears, journals, literature and books for parents and siblings along with community and faith-based resources. Every family's grief journey is unique. This program ensures care does not end of the hospital doors - walking with the families offering comfort, remembrance, and support.

TIPQC Sharing Around the Country

8/28/25 Connie Graves - Kentucky Symposium for Maternal & Infant Outcomes; 9/10/25 Brenda Barker - Indiana Hospital Association Perinatal Substance Abuse Conference

Congratulations to Hardin Medical Center for achieving National TeamBirth Recognition in August. TeamBirth Recognition reflects more than a process change. It demonstrates a commitment to sustaining a culture where patients are listened to, their preferences are respected, and care teams remain accountable. By aligning communication and decision-making in high-acuity maternity settings, these hospitals are setting a national standard for safer, more respectful care.

News You Can Use

The CDC’s latest Maternal Mortality Review Committee (MMRC) report, drawing on data from 46 states and more than 900 deaths, shows progress in reporting and transparency. 87% of deaths were deemed preventable, underscoring opportunities for change at every level of care. Infection was the leading cause overall, followed by mental health conditions, driven largely by overdose (64.7%) and suicide (31.3%). Contributing factors included gaps in knowledge, clinical skill, continuity of care, access, and the impact of substance use disorder. For TN Data Infographic.

A new ACOG Clinical Practice Update revises guidance on umbilical cord management for preterm births. Key recommendations include deferring cord clamping for at least 60 seconds in neonates under 37 weeks who do not require immediate resuscitation, and allowing cord milking as an alternative in some cases. Evidence suggests longer delays (120+ seconds) may further reduce neonatal mortality, and highlight the benefits of sustained, team-based approaches to cord management.

TDH Infant Health Strategic Plan released reflecting the commitment to ensuring that every infant in Tennessee has the healthiest start possible, laying the foundation for a lifetime of well-being.

Maternity Care Deserts: Access to hospital-based obstetric care services is declining in the United States, especially in rural areas. Living in a maternal care desert–areas without hospitals or birth centers offering obstetrics care and no maternity care providers–was associated with a 36% and 26% higher risk for maternal and pregnancy-related mortality, respectively.

October Health Observances

SIDS Awareness Month

Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month

Substance Use Prevention Month

5th-11th: National Midwifery Week

9th-15th: Perinatal Nurses Week

10th: World Mental Health Day

19th-25th: Healthcare Quality Week

25th: National DEA Rx Take Back Day

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