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Improving Postpartum Access to Care (IPAC)

The Improving Postpartum Access to Care (IPAC) Initiative was launched with 14 hospital teams in May 2019 to help increase use of this new standard of offering and scheduling universal early postpartum visits for a maternal health safety check within two weeks postpartum, in addition to the traditional six-week visit.

24%

The percentage of pregnancy-associated deaths between 2014 and 2016 that occured within 42 days postpartum, before the traditional six-week postpartum visit.

8/10

The number of periantal networks that have hospitals currently participating in IPAC.

40%

The percentage of new mothers that do not attend their six-week postpartum visit, yet even health women with uncomplicated pregnancies are at risk for postpartum problems.

29%

The percentage of IPAC teams that are live with two-week postpartum visits with 4 months of initaitive launch.
IPAC Overview

Schedule early maternal health safety checks to improve postpartum care

The goal of the ILPQC Improving Postpartum Access to Care (IPAC) Initiative is to optimize the health of women by increasing access to early postpartum care within the first two weeks postpartum, to facilitate follow-up as an ongoing process rather than a single 6-week encounter, provide an opportunity for a maternal health safety check, and link women to appropriate services.

The Improving Postpartum Access to Care (IPAC) Initiative was launched with 14 hospital teams in May 2019 to help increase use of this new standard of offering and scheduling universal early postpartum visits for a maternal health safety check within two weeks postpartum, in addition to the traditional six-week visit.

IPAC

Initiative Aim and Outcome

By May 2020, more than 80 percent of participating hospitals will be scheduling universal two-week postpartum visits before mothers are discharged after delivery.
Objectives
1. Increase percentage of women who have a two-week postpartum scheduled with an obstetric provider
2. Increase percentage of women who receive IPAC-focused postpartum education before discharge delivery
3. Increase percentage of providers and staff who receive education on optimizing early postpartum care

Resources

Our goal is to keep you informed and equipped with evidence-based resources that advance maternal and infant health. We invite you to explore our updates and share in the work of improving outcomes for all families.

Stay engaged. Stay informed. Together, we make care better.