Mississippi Perinatal Quality Collaborative - MSPQC

Building a more intentional system of care in Mississippi requires all of us. Whether critical access hospitals or specialized teams, your work matters. Thank you to the hundreds of providers who joined us at this year’s annual conference to discuss and share best practices. When clinical teams break out of their silos, maternal and neonatal outcomes improve.

Substance use disorders can affect individuals during pregnancy and the postpartum period, and overdose remains a significant public health concern across communities nationwide.

Did you know that a medication exists that can rapidly reverse an opioid overdose and save a life?

Naloxone (commonly known by the brand name Narcan®) is a safe, easy-to-use medication that can rapidly reverse an opioid overdose and restore breathing while emergency medical care is on the way. When administered quickly and followed by emergency medical care, Narcan can be the difference between life and death.

As part of the MSPQC SUD & Behavioral Health Education Initiative, MSPQC is partnering with select local health centers across Mississippi to increase awareness of overdose recognition and Narcan® (naloxone) administration.

For more information on future trainings, educational materials, and resources, contact [email protected] or visit MSPQC.org.

"State Perinatal Quality Collaboratives (PQCs) exist in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and the Armed Forces. All PQCs work to reduce preventable maternal morbidity and mortality through statewide implementation of evidence-based practices. PQCs have been successful in improving outcomes through key strategies, including strong hospital engagement; use of quality-improvement (QI) methodology such as rapid-cycle data review, collaborative learning, and supplemental technical assistance; and strategic partnerships. Here we provide examples of ways four state PQCs have implemented these strategies and their successes. Many PQCs focus on improving in-hospital care with initiatives related to hemorrhage, hypertension, or promoting vaginal birth or other hospital-based care improvements. Given the contribution of mental health, substance use disorder, cardiovascular conditions, and social drivers to postpartum pregnancy-related deaths, PQCs are expanding their scope to include the ambulatory and nonobstetric care settings and more community partners."

Listen to the conversation at: https://buff.ly/bu27hTk
Read the full article at: https://buff.ly/6y7mhb9

Cardiac conditions remain a significant challenge in obstetric care. To support frontline healthcare providers, the Cardiac Conditions in Obstetric Care Toolkit has officially launched. This toolkit provides hospital teams with the evidence-based tools and methodologies needed to recognize and manage cardiac risks during pregnancy and postpartum.

Special thanks to all the partners who contributed their expertise to this work. Continued collaboration is essential to making Mississippi a safer place to give birth.

Access the toolkit here:https://www.mspqc.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Combined-AIM-Cardiac-Toolkit-2.5.26.pdf

Every experience matters! The Mother's Own Measure Survey (M.O.M) is more than just a survey, it is a way for families, communities and healthcare teams to improve care for moms and babies across Mississippi. By sharing birth experiences, we can better understand what is working well and where there are opportunities to strengthen care and support for families.

The feedback collected helps guide quality improvement efforts across our state. If you or someone you know have given birth in Mississippi Hospital within the last two years, we encourage you to complete the survey and share your voice. Healthcare advocates can also help by spreading the word and encouraging participation.

Learn more about the M.O.M Survey here: https://www.mspqc.org/project/quality-care-interactions-initiative.

Quality Interactions Initiatives – MSPQC The intention of the M.O.M. (Mother’s Own Measure) Survey is to gather patient experience information that supports hospitals in identifying opportunities to inform and guide quality improvement efforts.

We are excited to announce the launch of the MSPQC SUD & Behavioral Health Education Initiative which is a statewide effort to strengthen support for pregnant and postpartum women and their families in Mississippi.

Substance use disorder during pregnancy is more common than many people realize.

Roughly 1 in 5 women report using substances at some point during pregnancy, yet the majority of those who need treatment never receive it. Stigma, limited access to care, and a lack of community resources are among the biggest barriers.

That is why this initiative matters. Over the coming months, we will be working with our community partners to deliver provider training, educational resources, and family-centered tools, all designed to reduce stigma, improve access, and support healthy outcomes for mothers and babies across Mississippi.

Recovery is possible. Treatment works. And no one should face this journey alone.

Follow along as we share resources, training opportunities, and awareness content throughout the year.

Join our growing network of dedicated providers, public health experts, and community advocates. Click the link below to subscribe to our newsletter today!

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As we recognize Maternal Mental Health Month, we must confront a sobering reality that mental health conditions remain a leading, treatable cause of pregnancy - related deaths.

The most recent Mississippi Maternal Mortality Report highlighted a troubling rise in deaths related to mental health and emphasized that the postpartum period is the most vulnerable time for our mothers.

Normalizing conversations around perinatal mood and anxiety disorders, routine screening, and timely referrals to behavioral health resources are lifesaving interventions. Let's work together to build a system that prioritizes mothers' mental health and recovery.

Source: State Mississippi Department of Health

Have a safe and thoughtful holiday.

Today is World Preeclampsia Day. We join our voice with moms and families across the world to share their .

Start the conversation-share your symptoms of preeclampsia, eclampsia or HELLP syndrome to help spread awareness. Your story can make an impact!

Share your story here: www.preeclampsia.org/our-stories