OUR NETWORK
The Ohio Perinatal Quality Collaborative (OPQC)
is a statewide consortium of perinatal clinicians, hospitals, policy makers, and governmental entities that aims to reduce preterm births and improve maternal and birth outcomes across Ohio.
OPQC involves subject matter experts, uses successful evidence-informed strategies, and employs data-driven quality improvement methods and project management processes.
Success comes from a collaborative approach that builds upon an established network of member hospitals with a history of executing statewide quality improvement initiatives.
Key Issues in Maternal & Infant Health in Ohio
Preterm Birth
Preterm birth is the leading cause of infant mortality in Ohio. Among states, Ohio consistently falls at the bottom of the rankings for infant mortality and prematurity. Further, Ohio’s rates for African-American prematurity are consistently worse than the rates for Caucasian prematurity, indicating underlying disparities in health and care.
Infant Mortality & Prematurity
Infant mortality and prematurity are conditions that are devastating for families, and incur significant health care costs. OPQC has several past and current projects that address both preterm birth and infant mortality in an effort to promote the best outcomes for Ohio’s mothers and babies.
Substance Use Disorders
Ohio is currently facing a narcotics addiction epidemic. Babies born to mothers who use opiates need particular care and attention. By improving and standardizing the care that these babies receive, OPQC expects to reduce the length of hospitals stays for newborns and improve outcomes at discharge.
OPQC PROJECTS
WHO CAN PARTICIPATE?
All Ohio perinatal providers, hospitals, expecting patients, and parents are welcome to participate. Along with the OPQC participating sites, we also collaborate with The Ohio Department of Health (ODH), the Ohio Department of Medicaid (ODM), the Ohio Colleges of Medicine Government Resource Center (GRC), The Ohio Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), The Ohio Chapter of The American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), March of Dimes, and the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.