NICHQ to Continue Serving as Coordinating Center for the National Network of Perinatal Quality Collaboratives (NNPQC)
BOSTON – The National Institute for Children’s Health Quality (NICHQ) will serve as the coordinating center for the National Network of Perinatal Quality Collaboratives (NNPQC), a five-year cooperative agreement funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
As a continuation and expansion upon the last five years, NICHQ will support Perinatal Quality Collaboratives (PQCs) in their efforts to reduce maternal and infant morbidity and mortality, improve perinatal health outcomes, and reduce disparities using quality improvement (QI) methods integrated with a health equity approach.
“NICHQ is so excited to have the opportunity to continue supporting PQCs as they collaborate with each other through NNPQC initiatives,” said Senior Project Director Stacey C. Penny, MSW, MPH, “but most importantly, with patients, families, communities, and birthing facilities to ensure care is respectful and equitable.”
NICHQ’s support of PQCs will focus on the use of QI, implementation science, collaboration, and evaluation methods to improve maternal and infant health outcomes, particularly within populations disproportionately affected by adverse perinatal outcomes.
Efforts will include partnering with the Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI) to develop a tailored approach to technical assistance and support, including activities that will increase collaboration within and across PQCs and improve their capacity to use QI methods to improve perinatal outcomes. Specifically, NICHQ will build capacity of PQCs nationwide, engage national partners, build relationships with key organizations, and disseminate resources and best practices to PQCs.
While serving as the current coordinating center for the NNPQC, NICHQ has established collaborative working relationships with all PQCs across the U.S. and gained deep knowledge of PQCs’ strengths and challenges. Throughout the next five years, NICHQ aims to increase the implementation of QI initiatives across PQCs, including in facilities serving disproportionately impacted populations and improve healthcare practices equitably.
“Our nation is facing a significant maternal mortality crisis and persistent disparities in birth outcomes,” said NICHQ CEO Scott D. Berns, MD, MPH, FAAP. “In partnership with the CDC, NICHQ is committed to tackling these challenges as we support PQCs to identify and share innovative approaches to improving the health of all birthing people and newborns.”
About the National Institute for Children’s Health Quality (NICHQ)
NICHQ is a mission-driven nonprofit dedicated to driving dramatic and sustainable improvements in the complex issues facing children’s health. We are committed to building and managing effective change strategies that align partners and engage stakeholders to achieve better outcomes for children and their families. During the past 20 years, NICHQ has led more than 80 initiatives and reached millions of children and families. NICHQ’s unique approach to improving children’s health care systems gives more families access to care and coordinated services and helps all children achieve better outcomes. NICHQ is deeply committed to health equity and ensuring all children reach their optimal health. For more information, visit www.nichq.org.
