Perinatal Quality Collaboratives (PQCs)
Perinatal quality collaboratives, or PQCs, are state or multistate teams that work to improve the quality of care for pregnant people and infants. PQC members identify health care processes that need improvement and utilize quality improvement principles and evidence-informed clinical practices and processes to address gaps in care. PQCs have impacted several critical outcomes, including:
Reducing health care–associated bloodstream infections in newborns
Reducing severe pregnancy complications associated with high blood pressure and hemorrhage
Screening and treatment for mothers with substance use disorder and affected newborns
Building connections between hospitals and communities to improve factors that impact health
Addressing maternal mental health care
Learn more about PQCs and the role they play to improve maternal health outcomes
Fact sheet coming soon
National Network of Perinatal Quality Collaboratives (NNPQC)
CDC and the March of Dimes launched the National Network of Perinatal Quality Collaboratives (NNPQC). The organization supports state-based PQCs in making measurable improvements in statewide health care and health outcomes for mothers and babies.
In 2022, CDC awarded the National Institute for Children's Health Quality (NICHQ) to serve as the coordinating center for the NNPQC. NICHQ coordinates NNPQC activities, including providing support, mentoring, and resources for PQCs.
Additional Resources
From the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention:
Clinics in Perinatology: Advances in Maternal Fetal Medicine: Perinatal Quality Collaboratives Working Together to Improve Maternal Outcomes