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Maternal health

Maternal health home | AIM Collaborative | Congenital syphilis | OB simulations

Arizona continues to face rising rates of maternal mortality and severe maternal morbidity, with especially high risk in rural and underserved communities. Challenges include limited access to obstetric services, travel barriers to care and growing rates of maternal mental health conditions, substance use disorders, congenital syphilis and obstetric emergencies.

About AzHHA’s maternal health programs

AzHHA aims to improve maternal health outcomes to strengthen families, reduce infant complications and support healthier communities statewide. This work is accomplished through multiple programs including the Arizona Alliance for Innovation on Maternal Health (AIM) Collaborative, the congenital syphilis prevention bundle and simulations for OB emergencies.

Arizona AIM Collaborative

As a leader in the effort to improve maternal health, AzHHA collaborates with the Arizona Department of Health Services (ADHS), AIM and key stakeholders to bring leading evidence-based practice and safety bundles to the state. The AIM maternal safety bundles are a collection of best practices that are vetted by experts in the field for improving maternal care and outcomes.

Learn more

Congenital syphilis prevention bundle

Arizona has high congenital syphilis and stillbirth rates. Syphilis is a sexually transmitted infection that is curable with penicillin; congenital syphilis is a baby infected with syphilis during pregnancy or delivery.

To help combat this issue, AzHHA is working to improve and increase syphilis testing and treatment pathways in emergency departments and birthing units across Arizona. This program offering is currently under development and will likely include education for providers and patients, workflows and sample policies and procedures.

Simulations for OB emergencies

Obstetrical emergencies can have devastating consequences for the mother and baby, making early recognition and response essential.

AzHHA supports the delivery of OB emergency simulation training for emergency departments across Arizona. These trainings help build readiness where OB expertise may not be onsite.

The OB emergency simulation covers preeclampsia, postpartum hemorrhage and maternal code scenarios.

What to know:

  • The trainings are available for free to members and nonmembers for emergency departments at OB and non-OB hospital as well as standalone emergency departments.
  • Each session is two hours.
  • Four to five learners can participate in each session.
  • A facility can have up to four sessions in a day.

Want to participate?

Email maternahealth@azhha.org if your facility is interested in receiving the training.