(APHP) Annual Report - Alberta Perinatal Health Program

2006-07 REPORT AND OUTLOOK“Continuing to work with healthregions to establish facility andregional perinatal quality assurancecommittees and processes”.Quality and InnovationThe core business is to:facilitate and enhance capacity of health regions, healthprofessionals, Alberta Health and Wellness, and otherstakeholders to achieve optimal perinatal practice.A key component to achieving quality improvement in the work of theAPHP is the integration of quality improvement activities within the functionsof leadership and coordination, information management, and education andconsultation. Through communication, integration, and relationship buildinginternally and externally, the program vision and mission can be achieved.A key quality assurance activity within the function of quality andinnovation is continuation of the study of perinatal mortality and morbidityunder the Ministerial Order to the AMA Committee on Reproductive Care.The process of systematic review considers the population healthdeterminants, clinical practices and service delivery. Through this process,quality improvement strategies for optimal practices are identified. Strategiesmay include knowledge transfer, development or implementation of practicetools, and revisions to standard documentation forms. The aggregatedmortality data are used to report trends in perinatal mortality and factorsassociated with adverse outcomes. Recommendations are communicated toindividual practitioners, the Quality Improvement Standing Committee(QISC) and to facility/regional quality assurance committees.Stillbirths > or = 500 gramsin Alberta(rate per 1,000 total births)YearRate2003 4.02004 4.72005 4.2Neonatal Mortality > or = 500grams in Alberta*(rate per 1,000 live births)YearRate2003 3.22004 2.62005 3.3* (birth to 28 days)2006-07 Highlights In discussion with health regions to create facility and/orregional perinatal quality assurance committees. Completed perinatal mortality case reviews for 2005 and 2006. Established QISC and three quality working groups - MaternityHealth-Related Leave, Intrauterine Growth Restriction, andNewborn Re-admission for Jaundice. Identified an issue in reporting fetal growth and identifying fetalintrauterine growth restriction. Communicated these concernsvia the College of Physicians and Surgeons to providers ofdiagnostic imaging. Clarified role of Office of Medical Examiner in investigation ofmaternal deaths and responsibility for autopsy consent. Consulted with the Health Quality Council of Alberta to applythe quality matrix and quality dimensions to the work of APHP indevelopment of perinatal quality indicators and standards. Provided consultation on perinatal mortality review process tohealth regions and other provinces interested in establishing aperinatal mortality review process. Revised and implemented the Alberta Prenatal Record (APR)and Healthy Mother and Healthy Baby Questionnaire as thestandard for documentation, reporting and communicationof prenatal care.12ALBERTA PERINATAL HEALTH PROGRAM 2006-2007 ANNUAL REPORT