Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 6, 2026
A Novel Method for Involving Women of Color at High Risk for Preterm Birth in Research Priority Setting
Published on: January 12, 2018
Strengthening Perinatal Services Through Social Care: Outcomes of a Quality Improvement Initiative for a Health
Rebecca L Emery Tavernier1,2, Peyton Rogers1, Mia Shenkman3
1Weitzman Institute, Moses Weitzman Health System, Washington, District of Columbia.
Introduction:
Given the prevalence and consequences of unmet social needs in perinatal populations, there is a critical demand for perinatal care that addresses social needs. To better support health systems in providing comprehensive social and perinatal care services, this quality improvement initiative uses the Donabedian model for care quality to describe the structure, process, and outcomes of embedding an innovative perinatal care program with integrated social care into an established primary care center.
Process:
The Improving Maternal Outcomes Now! (IMON) program was designed to address the clinical and health-related social needs of patients at highest risk of maternal health disparities. The IMON program offers holistic prenatal and postpartum care through the provision of midwifery services, obstetrician support, intensive social needs support, and around-the-clock virtual care. Program implementation began in June 2023 at a federally qualified health center.
Outcomes:
During the first 18 months of implementation, 102 pregnant patients received prenatal care. Forty-four percent of patients identified as Hispanic, with more than half (54%) reporting Spanish as their preferred language. Patients were highly engaged with program services. Nearly two-thirds of IMON patients (65%) initiated prenatal care in their first trimester, and most (91%) were assisted with social needs during or after pregnancy. A majority (88%) enrolled to receive adjunctive virtual care services. Among the 61 patients who gave birth, 77% did so vaginally, whereas the remaining 23% did so via cesarean birth. On average, patients gave birth at 39 weeks' gestation, with only 5% giving birth preterm and 3% having a newborn that was small for gestational age.
Discussion:
Preliminary findings suggest that IMON can be implemented within a safety-net setting, with high patient engagement and social needs support. Early outcomes show promising maternal and neonatal health indicators.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
01:30Community Based Intervention
Foundations of Community Mental Health Programs
Central to the success of community-based interventions is the...
01:30Primary Healthcare Services
In 1978, international leaders convened in Alma-Ata, Kazakhstan, for what would be a pivotal event in global health. The Alma-Ata Declaration was the first to call...
01:30Specialized Care Centers and Settings-I
Daycare centers
They provide several functions. Some facilities care for healthy newborns and children whose parents work, while others are medically focused and care for...
01:13Patient-centered Care
01:30Specialized Care Centers and Settings-II
Rural health centers are specialized care facilities in remote locations with very few medical personnel. The primary care providers who run the centers are mostly Registered Nurse Practitioners. Here, emergency treatment is provided to critically ill or injured patients before they are transferred to the closest hospital. Fortunately, due to advancement in technology, many rural healthcare facilities and professionals have easy access to diagnostic and treatment...
01:15Nursing Implementation
The five steps to implementing effective nursing care include reassessing the patient, reviewing and revising the existing nursing care plan, organizing the resources and care delivery, anticipating and preventing complications, and implementing nursing interventions.