Levels of Maternal Care is a strategy to decrease maternal morbidity and mortality by ensuring that birthing parents are cared for at hospitals with the resources and personnel to manage their unique needs. To accomplish this, 2020-2021 efforts include:
1. Mapping available maternal care services: As a first step, the Betsy Lehman Center and PNQIN are working with the Department of Public Health and U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to implement the Levels of Care Assessment Tool (LOCATe). The Massachusetts LOCATe survey tool will also capture information on disparities in care.
2. Supporting risk-appropriate maternal care: The results of the LOCATe survey will be used to better understand the systems of care serving pregnant patients, mothers and infants — including how those services respond to the unique needs of a diverse population. PNQIN will offer consultation to participating hospitals to verify LOCATe findings and support efforts to provide risk-appropriate maternal care.
The PNQIN website has in-depth information about the Levels of Maternal Care model: https://www.mpqcma.org/levels-of-maternal-care
For more information about the LOCATe survey, please contact Natalia.Ciesielska@BetsyLehmanCenterMA.gov.