September 2021
Texas Perinatal Services News
Texas Maternal Designation Cycle Ends on a High Note
The maternal designation cycle in Texas officially ended on August 31, 2021. During this cycle, the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) designated 223 maternal facilities. This is the culmination of conducting surveys and the review of survey reports of each facility since the maternal levels of care designation rule became effective on March 1, 2018.

During this process, DSHS implemented a more streamlined process to review maternal survey reports.

Texas Perinatal Services surveyed more than 80% of the maternal hospitals designated in Texas during this cycle.

"We are proud to work with so many hospitals across Texas that share our mission to ensure the best care for expecting mothers," Brenda Putz, TETAF vice president of operations, said. "We are honored to have an important role in this process, and to see firsthand during surveys how our hospital partners implement quality process improvement measures that ultimately make a difference in the health of an expecting mother."

Texas Perinatal Services continues its focus on maternal care through expert consultations that help hospitals be more successful during a designation survey and ultimately providing the best quality care to expecting mothers.
Texas Intermittent Auscultation Collaborative Begins Planning Phase
Texas Perinatal Services announced in August that it has been awarded a grant for a three-month planning project to develop a statewide, multi-facility collaborative that is focused on increasing the safe use of intermittent auscultation (IA) in hospitals and birth centers. The Texas Intermittent Auscultation Collaborative (TIAC) is a joint project planned by Texas Perinatal Services, the Institute for Perinatal Quality Improvement, and Primary Maternity Care.
 
Since the start of the grant, TIAC has conducted two virtual information sessions for hospitals and birth centers and a survey to gather more information from participants, in addition to gauging interest in future participation in the project. Additionally, TIAC is also conducting interviews with Texas perinatal experts to also gauge interest and perspective on implementing the safe use of IA in Texas. 
 
The planning phase of the grant will conclude at the end of the month. 
TETAF Board of Directors Meeting will be Virtual in September
The next quarterly meeting of the TETAF Board of Directors will now be virtual via Zoom. The meeting will be Thursday, September 9 at 3:30 p.m.

Register below to attend the virtual meeting.
Maternal and Neonatal News
Perinatal Advisory Council Meeting in September
The next Perinatal Advisory Council (PAC) meeting is scheduled for September 22, 2021 and will be virtual via Microsoft Teams.

Learn more about the PAC and register for the next meeting on the PAC webpage.
Texas Health and Human Services Offers Fetal Alcohol Prevention Webinar
The Texas Health and Human Services Commission's Office of Disability Prevention for Children will host a webinar, "Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders: Practical Prevention and Support Strategies" on September 16 from 10:00 - 11:30 a.m. Central.

The webinar that will discuss practical prevention and support strategies aimed at preventing fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD) in infants and children. This webinar is intended for women of childbearing years and providers who work with them, as well as families and others caring for infants and young children.
September is NICU Awareness Month and Newborn Screening Awareness Month
September is NICU Awareness Month. Every year, 10 to 15 percent of babies born spend time in the NICU. Learn more facts to share during the month here.

September is also Newborn Screening Awareness Month.

Here are some helpful facts to share this month about how newborn screening helps thousands of new babies every year.
Recognition of the 18-month Anniversary of the first COVID-19 Case In Texas
Texas Perinatal Services joins our hospital partners and other health care organizations across Texas in 5 minutes of silence this Friday at 12:00 p.m. 

Together, we will honor the growing number of Texans who have lost their lives to the virus and express gratitude for health care workers and our Regional Advisory Councils (RACs) working tirelessly to serve those in need.
In the News
SAVE THE DATE: Texas Perinatal Forum is September 16
The next Texas Perinatal Forum will be on Thursday, September 16 at 11:00 a.m.. Renee Byfield, MS, RN, FNP is the director of the SPEAK UP program for the Institute for Perinatal Quality Improvement. She will share more about the SPEAK UP program and the next conference.

If you are not already signed up to join the forums and would like to attend, please email Erin Moore at emoore@tetaf.org.