Citation

Hutchins E, Grason H, Handler A. Matern. Child Health J. 2004; 8(4): 259-268.

Affiliation

Department of Health and Human Services, Maternal and Child Health Bureau, Health Resources and Services Administration, Parklawn Building-Room 18-12, 5600 Fishers Lane, Rockville, Maryland 20857, USA. ehutchins@hrsa.gov

Copyright

(Copyright © 2004, Holtzbrinck Springer Nature Publishing Group)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

15623148

Abstract

This article examines FIMR in relationship to two other maternal and child health mortality reviews--child fatality review (CFR) and maternal mortality review (MMR), and explores how their approaches to reviewing deaths can complement one another. Identifying opportunities for collaboration among these case review methodologies may lead to greater efficiencies at the local and state levels and strengthen the case review approach as a public health tool for improving maternal and child health outcomes. To enable comparative analysis, a table was constructed that identifies the purpose, structure, and process features of each case review approach. This was followed by an examination of two possible ways to improve maternal and child mortality review processes in states: 1) better coordination; and 2) improving each individual process through adapting and adopting promising practices from the others. A discussion is also provided of the state Title V role in facilitating both the coordination of reviews and the process of sharing best practices. Given the similarities that exist among the three MCH mortality reviews, it is important to view each review as one component of a larger system of maternal and child health death reviews. Implementing widely the recommendations generated by these reviews may increase the likelihood of improvements in services and systems on behalf of women and children.

Language: en