Issue link: https://tmcpulse.uberflip.com/i/834093
t m c » p u l s e | j u n e 2 0 1 7 14 The March of Dimes Perinatal Safety Center will focus on four main goals: • Increasing the use of antenatal corticosteroids (ACS) for women at risk of preterm birth to help fetal lung development: Administering a single course of corticosteroids to women who were at risk of premature birth has been shown to reduce the baby's risk of death by approximately 30 percent. Children's Memorial Hermann will continue to administer the cortico- steroids to at-risk women between 24 and 34 weeks of gestation. • Increasing maternal immuniza- tions for flu and whooping cough to protect newborns: Vaccines for flu and whooping cough are safe for women during pregnancy. Because pregnancy can change a woman's immune system, contract- ing the flu can cause women to become seriously ill and puts their babies at risk for developmental problems and premature birth. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that up to 20 babies die each year from whooping cough and approxi- mately half of babies under the age of 1 will need to be treated in the hospital for the disease. Getting vaccinated for whooping cough and flu during pregnancy allows the body to create antibodies that can protect the baby before and after birth. • Improving the transition from hospital to home for mother and baby: According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, babies who were born preterm with low birth weight and treated in the NICU had a higher rate of hospital readmission and death during their first year of life. The March of Dimes Perinatal Safety Center plans to develop an app that will help parents take care of their babies after they leave the hospital. • Reducing the number of med- ically unnecessary deliveries before 39 weeks of gestation: According to the March of Dimes, early elective deliveries after 37 weeks and before the full 39 weeks of gestation can put the baby at risk for NICU admissions, transient tachypnea (a breathing disorder), respiratory distress, ven- tilator support, sepsis and difficul- ties feeding. By the end of the three years, Tsao hopes the center will be able to develop a perinatal safety toolkit with recom- mendations and best practices. Other hospitals could then use this as a tem- plate for their own needs. Free Delivery Adherence Programs Benefits Coordination Compliance Packaging Prior Authorization Support Financial Assistance Programs 24/7 Pharmacist Support Excellent Specialty Pharmacy Care for Patients, Providers & Service Organizations Learn more at AvitaPharmacy.com Houston Location: tel 713.592.0211 fax 713.432.0307 Stacey D. Stewart, president of the March of Dimes, speaks at a press event at Children's Memorial Hermann Hospital to announce the March of Dimes Perinatal Safety Center.