Maternal Health Collaboration to Employ Virtual Consultations

July 14, 2023 - After receiving $1.75 million in funding from the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Piedmont Health Services (PHS), in partnership with UNC Family Medicine and the Chatham County Public Health Department, plans to implement a multi-pronged quality improvement project to treat maternal health issues that will include a virtual maternal-fetal medicine specialty consultation service.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) indicated that in the US in 2021, the maternal mortality rate was 32.9 deaths per 100,000 live births.

Considering the prevalence of this issue, HHS acted through the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA). Specifically, it provided total funding exceeding $65 million to 35 HRSA-funded Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs). HHS did this with the goal of supporting innovative efforts to address issues related to maternal mortality.

Using the $1.75 million it received from HHS, PHS plans to assist minority populations that face maternal health disparities. The organization is working with UNC Family Medicine and the Chatham County Public Health Department to drive this effort.

The project includes various aspects, including a focus on perinatal interdisciplinary care team (IDT) workflows to improve the quality and timeliness of postpartum care and a virtual maternal-fetal medicine (MFM) specialty consultation service meant for women with high-risk conditions within PHS rural community health centers. The service leverages e-consult and telehealth capabilities. Another aspect of the project is providing support for community doula training and creating collaboration services for these professionals throughout rural Chatham County, North Carolina.

“I am so pleased to see two awards from HRSA’s Bureau of Primary Health Care come to North Carolina – C.W. Williams in Charlotte was also funded – and believe this work can play an important part in supporting the goals of the NCDHHS’ Perinatal Health Strategic Plan 2022-2026, and our work with local partners,” said Brian Toomey, CEO of PHS, in a press release.

There is also curiosity surrounding the effectiveness of this type of program and whether it can help sustain innovative efforts among academic medical centers, community safety-net providers, and the community.

“I am very excited to see how this award to our local Federally Qualified Health Center organization, when combined with the input of UNC Family Medicine’s maternal health faculty and the voices of the pregnant community being served, can lead to positive developments in our regional perinatal care model, particularly for our rural communities,” said Marni Holder, director of community health initiatives at UNC Family Medicine, in a press release. Holder also worked with UNC, PHS, and community leadership to drive the project pitch.

This is not the first time that HHS has provided financial support to enhance maternal health outcomes.

In April 2022, HHS provided $4.5 million in funding to assist the community-based doula workforce throughout underserved areas.

Provided through the HRSA Healthy Start initiative, this funding aimed to increase the number of Healthy Start doula programs.

Other efforts have also indicated that technology has found a place in maternal care.

In January, Northwell Health released a chatbot with the aim of lowering morbidity and mortality rates among pregnant women. Known as Northwell Health Pregnancy Chats, this resource uses artificial intelligence-based technology and virtual care tools.

The health system created the app to educate patients, define urgent concerns, and steer patients toward the emergency department when needed.