Jan. 23 has been set aside to educate the community and reduce maternal mortality statewide. The alarming rate of maternal mortality and the racial gap in pregnancy loss and pregnancy-related deaths are nationwide public health concerns.

Story by: Henry Winkelhake on January 20, 2021

Kentucky is the fifth state to designate a day calling for action to raise public awareness about the importance of maternal health and to promote maternal safety.

Jan. 23 has been set aside to educate the community and reduce maternal mortality statewide. The alarming rate of maternal mortality and the racial gap in pregnancy loss and pregnancy-related deaths are nationwide public health concerns.

Norton Women’s Care has joined the effort to help ensure every expectant parent has a healthy pregnancy and delivery and can be assured that if issues arise they will have the appropriate medical treatment.

Among the steps Norton Women’s Care has taken to improve outcomes while reducing maternal morbidity and mortality:

• An ongoing initiative to reduce Cesarean sections.
• Hemorrhage carts located in labor and delivery and mother and baby units
• Norton Maternal Opiate and Substance Treatment (MOST) Program
• Drills with new, state-of-the-art patient simulator “Victoria” for all obstetrics staff and providers focusing on obstetric emergencies
• Implementation of emergency obstetric hypertension and hemorrhage protocols and supplies at Norton Healthcare facilities where there is not a labor and delivery unit
• Partnership with Park DuValle Community Health Center to provide quality OB/GYN care in underserved areas

Norton Healthcare’s childbirth quality report is also available online.