Reproductive Health Program Reproductive Health Program

Phone:
  SLC area: (801) 538-9970

FAX:
  SLC area: (801) 538-9409

Mail:
  Reproductive Health Program
  P.O. Box 142001
  Salt Lake City UT
  84112-2001




 

Perinatal Mortality Review Program

Description of Program

The Perinatal Mortality Review Program (PMRP) is a public health approach to improving fetal, infant and maternal outcomes in the state of Utah. The Utah Department of Health is responsible for the oversight and coordination of the program. The program is based on the National Fetal and Infant Mortality Review (NFIMR) Program.*

Through individual case review, the PMRP identifies contributing factors that may lead to perinatal death. Most cases have a number of interrelated factors that contribute to the death. In general, no single deciding factor alters the course of events.

Case reviews are conducted by a committee of professionals. Committee members provide analytical skill, community perspective, knowledge of public health issues, and clinical expertise. The committee identifies contributing factors, assesses the potential for improving perinatal outcomes, and makes recommendations based on findings.

*The National Fetal and Infant Mortality Review Program lists the following participating organizations: the American Academy of Family Physicians, the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, the American College of Nurse-Midwives, the American Hospital Association, and the Society of Perinatal Obstetricians.

Review Process

Perinatal deaths are analyzed in relationship to the following factors:

  • Demographics
  • Education
  • Environment
  • Lifestyle
  • Health care intervention
  • Public Health
  • Access to services
  • Economics
  • Compliance

Information is obtained through medical records abstraction to assist in identifying gaps in the health care delivery system.

Information may be obtained from:

  • Hospital charts
  • Public health records
  • Autopsy reports
  • Birth/death certificates
  • Health care provider records
  • Emergency room records

As assured under Utah Code 26-25-4, the program ensures confidentiality of all information reviewed. Publications resulting from the review are stripped of identifying information.

Committee Members

  • Obstetrician
  • Perinatologist
  • Pediatrician
  • Neonatologist
  • Family Practice Physician
  • Certified Nurse Midwife
  • Maternity Nurse
  • Public Health Representative
  • Case dependent ad hoc members e.g.: social worker, geneticist, neurologist and cardiologist

Benefit of the Program

The PMR process is not a scientifically rigorous approach to identifying causes. Instead fetal, infant and maternal deaths are sentinel events that can serve to identify episodes of health care system failures, and the reasons behind such failures.

The reasons are then examined to determine if they represent a consistent or alterable policy or if they represent an unusual occurrence not amenable to corrections.

These reviews result in the discovery of factors that may negatively impact perinatal outcomes. Identifying these factors leads to public health recommendations for changes that could improve the outcome of future cases.

Recommendations from committee deliberations are presented in report form to appropriate organizations and individuals as a quality improvement mechanism targeted at reducing the number of poor perinatal outcomes throughout our state.

Links To Learn More:

Fetal and Infant Mortality
Maternal Mortality

To get more information call (801)538-9970  and ask for the Perinatal Mortality Review Coordinator or  email us

Visit The National Fetal and Infant Mortality Review (NFIMR) program website