|
|
Maternal and Child Health Programs |
| You are here: DOH Home » CFH » MCH » Regional Perinatal Programs | Search | Employees |
| Site Directory: | |||
|
• Programs • DOH A-Z Topics and Publications
|
|||
|
THE WASHINGTON STATE PERINATAL REGIONAL NETWORK (PRN) We are health care professionals who educate, consult, and collaborate to improve birth outcomes for all people in Washington State.Since the early 1970s, the Department of Health has contracted with tertiary level perinatal centers to provide regionalized services for pregnant women and newborns. The Department of Health deems the regional perinatal programs essential to agency responsibilities as part of the continuing effort to support the national concept of regionalized perinatal care. In July 2006, the perinatal regional program was redesigned and shifted activities from education and consultation for perinatal/neonatal healthcare professionals to implementation of quality improvement activities. These projects contribute to improving pregnancy outcome, decreasing maternal and infant morbidity and mortality, and decreasing incidence of low birth weight and prematurity. Program Description The Perinatal Regional Network (PRN) is coordinated by the Department of Health,Office of Maternal and Child Health, and is a collaborative effort with the Health and Recovery Services Administration/Medicaid. The program uses state and federal funds to contract with geographically strategic healthcare institutions to coordinate and implement state and regional quality improvement projects to decrease poor pregnancy outcomes for which Medicaid clients are at disproportionately increased risk. The leadership team, comprised of members from the Department of Health and HRSA/Medicaid, is responsible for strategic planning, contract management and technical assistance for PRN coordinators. PRN contractors are located at
Each of the four regional programs provides a licensed healthcare professional with expertise in neonatal and/or perinatal nursing or medicine to facilitate, coordinate, and support perinatal quality improvement within their regions and the state. The PRN staff at the state and in each region serve as liaisons, consultants, and resources for all perinatal/neonatal healthcare professionals and affiliated partners in Washington State. The PRN coordinators in each region involve healthcare professionals in hospitals, clinics, managed care programs, and public health agencies in quality improvement projects that promote consistent best practices to reduce perinatal and neonatal risk and increase healthy outcomes for all pregnant women and newborns. Best practice materials, tools, and resources resulting from these quality improvement projects are disseminated to health care professionals and their affiliates state-wide to improve and promote consistent high quality perinatal and neonatal care. The Perinatal Advisory Committee (PAC) The physicians and nurses in each Perinatal Regional Network play an important role on the Perinatal Advisory Committee (PAC) by providing consultation and technical assistance on emerging perinatal/neonatal issues. The PAC represents professional healthcare organizations, consumer groups, and state agencies. Formed in 1985 by the Department of Health, the PAC identifies and prioritizes statewide perinatal concerns, identifies needs and makes recommendations through specific work groups, and provides recommendations to the Department of Health and DSHS (Medicaid). The work of the committee is accomplished through quarterly meetings and subcommittee workgroups.
For more information about the Regional Perinatal Programs or the Perinatal Advisory Committee, contact: Bat-Sheva Stein, RNC, MN
|
|||
|
DOH Home | Access Washington | Privacy Notice | Disclaimer/Copyright Information Links to external resources are provided as a public service and do not imply endorsement by the Washington State Department of Health. Documents posted in PDF version on the Department of Health Web site will be made available in an alternative format on request to users who are unable to download or view PDF files on the Web. To request an alternative format, contact the appropriate office listed below. Contact Information:Administration 360-236-3502 /e-mail
Address: Office of Maternal and Child Health Department of Health Community and Family Health 111 Israel Road SE Tumwater, WA 98501
|
