Starting Aug. 4, mothers who give birth at Regional West’s Birth and Infant Care Center will receive a teal wristband as part of the Postpartum Alert Initiative, a groundbreaking program designed to reduce maternal mortality and improve postpartum care across the state.
The wristbands are part of the Nebraska Perinatal Quality Improvement Collaborative’s (NPQIC) initiative to help postpartum mothers during the critical six-week period after delivery. Patients are encouraged to wear their bands as they attend all follow-up appointments, take prescribed medications, and seek immediate care if warning signs arise. These bands alert physicians and providers that their patient is postpartum, helping them recognize the need for timely responses to potentially life-threatening complications. Patients also receive education and quick references for postpartum alert warning signs, including a post-discharge symptom tracker.
According to the NPQIC, Nebraska has the 17th highest rate of maternal mortality nationwide. Emergency warning signs can include chest pain, difficulty breathing, seizures, uncontrollable bleeding, or thoughts of self-harm or harming others. Symptoms including severe headaches, dizziness, heavy bleeding, swollen or painful legs, persistent fever, fatigue, or high blood pressure readings are also causes for concern and require immediate contact with a healthcare provider.
Birth and Infant Care Center & Pediatrics Director Kynzie Lentfer, BSN, RN, CLC, said this program provides not only an important visual cue for healthcare providers, but a potentially lifesaving opportunity for women in the panhandle.
“We are proud to be participating the in the Postpartum Alert initiative through NPQIC. This initiative allows us to shine a light on how crucial the immediate postpartum period can be in getting our moms great care as quickly as possible. I am also looking forward to the collaboration with our region’s Emergency Medical Services (EMS) and our local healthcare providers,” she said. “This initiative truly has the potential to save lives.”
For more information about this program, please call the Birth and Infant Care Center at 308-630-1550.