Severe maternal morbidity (SMM) rates continue to rise in the state, and stark racial and ethnic inequities persist. Much of what is known about SMM comes from analysis of Massachusetts Acute Care Hospital Discharge Data, collected by the Center for Health Information and Analysis (CHIA). 

To get actionable data on maternal health outcomes more quickly into the hands of the care teams that need it, a group of pilot hospitals started submitting discharge data to CHIA on a monthly – rather than quarterly – basis in 2023. The Betsy Lehman Center analyzes the data to identify potential instances of SMM and shares back with the hospitals in six to eight weeks. 

Interviews with pilot participants found that monthly data reporting contributes to quality improvement efforts without a significant impact on workflow or workload. Birthing hospitals interested in joining can contact the Betsy Lehman Center for more information. 

Read the pilot evaluation.