Initiatives

The WSPC works with a variety of partners to improve outcomes in the following areas. Our initiatives are based on recommendations from the Maternal Mortality Review Panel, best practice guidelines and research, and the needs of Washington families. You can learn more about WSPC initiatives below and connect with the program contact to get involved and support the work.

Clinical Quality Improvement

Washington Blue Band Initiative (Hypertension)

Purpose: Postpartum patients with hypertension or risk of preeclampsia wear a blue wristband, which alerts health care providers to be aware of blood pressure complications.

Program contact: Bat-Sheva Stein

Resources: Washington Blue Band Initiative

Center of Excellence for Perinatal Substance Use Disorder Learning Collaborative

Purpose: The Perinatal Substance Use Learning Collaborative works to improve care for people who are pregnant or postpartum and have a substance use disorder.

Program contact: Jenica Sandall (wsha.org)

Resources: Perinatal Substance Use Disorder Learning Collaborative (wsha.org) | Center of Excellence for Perinatal Substance Use Certification

Perinatal / Neonatal Levels of Care Guidelines

Purpose: A guideline that helps hospitals assess their facility’s capabilities and scope of care and increase access to appropriate care for pregnant people and newborns. A group of volunteers revises this document every 5 years.

Program contact: Bat-Sheva Stein 

Resources: Washington State Perinatal and Neonatal Level of Care (LOC) 2018 Guidelines) (PDF); Neonatal Levels of Care (arcgis.com) 

Postpartum Hemorrhage Grants

Purpose: Provide grants to improve hemorrhage processes and protocols and upgrade hemorrhage carts and supplies.

Program contact: Bat-Sheva Stein

Rural Obstetric Provider Workgroup

Purpose: The Rural Obstetric provider workgroup is strategizing solutions to the challenges faced by rural labor and delivery hospitals and to address unit closures across rural Washington state.

Program contact: Bat-Sheva Stein    

Smooth Transitions

Purpose: Quality improvement program that increases safety and improves patient experience during transfers from home or a birth center to a hospital for delivery. Smooth Transitions follows a collaborative care model that places birthing families at the center of care.

Program contact: Melissa Denmark (qualityhealth.org)

Resources: Smooth Transitions (qualityhealth.org)

TeamBirth - Shared Decision-Making in Hospital Births

Purpose: TeamBirth is a quality improvement initiative to increase shared decision making and amplify the birthing person’s voice in hospital births.

Program contact: Jenica Sandall (wsha.org)

Resources: TeamBirth - Washington State Hospital Association (wsha.org)

Community and Patient Engagement

Birth Equity Project

Purpose: Birth Equity Project grantee programs work to address the racism experienced by Black/African American, African immigrant, and American Indian/Alaska Native communities and ensure that everyone has a better chance at a safe and healthy birth.

Program contact: Caroline Sedano

Resources: Birth Equity Project (WaPortal.org)

Community Behavioral Health Grants

Purpose: Fund five community organizations to implement programs related to the MMRPs recommendation to, “Increase knowledge and skill of providers, patients, and families about behavioral health conditions during and after pregnancy, and the treatment and resources that are available for support”.

Program contact: Tiffany Tibbs Christensen

MMRP Across Washington

Purpose: Provides information and listens to the voices of communities most impacted by maternal mortality 

Program contact: Ian Bennett

Resources: MMRP Across Washington | Healthier Washington Collaboration Portal (waportal.org)

Tribal Listening Sessions

Purpose: Convene listening sessions focused on the health of Native pregnant, birthing, and postpartum people with American Indian and Alaska Native community members and Tribal Health partners

Program contact: Tiffany Tibbs Christensen

Resources: Washington State Maternal Mortality Review Panel: Maternal Deaths 2017-2020

Infant Care

Donor Milk

Purpose: In 2022, the Washington Legislature passed E2SSB 5702, a law requiring health plans and Medicaid to cover the cost of donor human milk for babies in the hospital. WSPC is working to improve access to donor human milk for babies who need it.

Program contact: Bat-Sheva Stein

Resources: Lactation, Breastfeeding & Chestfeeding | Lactation and Infant Feeding-Friendly Environments (LIFE) | RCW 43.70.645

Safe Haven Workgroup

Purpose: In Washington, a parent may anonymously hand over their unharmed newborn within 72 hours of birth, without fear of criminal liability, at any hospital, staffed fire station, or staffed rural health clinic. In 2022, WSPC and partner organizations created a workgroup to strengthen Washington’s Safe Haven law, improve implementation, and increase public and professional awareness. Mounting a Safe Haven sign with accurate information, including the phone number, could save the life of a vulnerable newborn. You can order new signs through the National Safe Haven Alliance.

Program contact: Bat-Sheva Stein

Resources: Legislation | Signage (National Safe Haven Alliance) | Safe Haven Request Form | Information Card | Pregnancy Resources | Safe Haven Partner Announcement (PDF)

Stillbirth Prevention (2023 – Current)

Purpose: Washington State Department of Health received funding for fiscal year 2024 from the legislature for a stillbirth prevention campaign. This campaign will provide materials on evidence-based strategies to reduce the incidence of stillbirth (fetal death after 20 weeks gestation) in Washington state.

Program contact: Caroline Sedano

Resources: Stillbirth Awareness | Stillbirth: A Health Professional’s Role

Systems Change (Legislature)

Doula Certification and Reimbursement

Purpose: Washington laws signed in 2020 and 2022 require Medicaid reimbursement for birth doula services and provide a framework for a voluntary doula certification process.

Program contact: Kathy Weed

Resources: Birth Doulas | Washington Laws for Doulas – The Doula Law Project (childbirthlibrary.org)

After Pregnancy Coverage (APC) Promotion

Purpose: Promote After Pregnancy Coverage (APC). APC is comprehensive Apple Health (Medicaid) coverage for individuals to access health care services any time in the 12 months after their pregnancy ends.

Program contact: Talia Horacek

Resources: After-Pregnancy Coverage | Washington State Health Care Authority; APC Patient materials Request Form (posters and handouts)