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July 3, 2024

In The Know


Join Our Upcoming Community of Learning: East, Sleep, Console!

Are you part of a hospital team dedicated to improving care for infants with neonatal abstinence syndrome? Discover the proven Eat, Sleep, Console (ESC) method, which reduces opiate use and hospital stays for newborns. ESC also strengthens bonding by involving birth parents and caregivers in newborn care.

2024 Joint Perinatal Improvement Summit

The 2024 Joint Perinatal Improvement Summit is hosted by the Minnesota Hospital Association (MHA), the Minnesota Perinatal Quality Collaborative (MNPQC), and Perinatal Substance Use Workforce Development Project. It provides an “All Teach, All Learn” opportunity for education, resources and expertise sharing with a space to make connections across disciplines, hospitals and statewide geography as we work to improve perinatal health outcomes and experiences for our MN families.

OB Hypertension Sprint: Enhancing Prevention & Identification- Successful Completion & Ongoing Initiatives

We are excited to announce the successful completion of our first Hypertension Sprint, designed to tackle the multifaceted challenges surrounding Hypertensive Disorders of Pregnancy (HDP). This sprint focused on promoting the safe and effective use of low-dose aspirin as a preventive measure and enhancing recognition through the implementation of Blue Bands. Our efforts aimed to address critical gaps in hypertension awareness, postpartum surveillance, and preventive measures to improve outcomes.

The Blue Band Project: A Milestone Achievement

One of the pivotal outcomes of this sprint was the Blue Band Initiative, which significantly improves the recognition of unique risks for individuals with Hypertensive Disorders of Pregnancy (such as eclampsia, severe hypertension, and stroke). The bands serve as a proactive measure to alert healthcare providers and facilitate prompt intervention and support. We are proud to announce that nine hospital teams will be implementing Blue Bands in their facilities, with MNPQC continuing to work with and support them through this implementation process. Facilities interested in adopting this initiative can reach out for assistance to ensure standardized and effective utilization across different settings.


Don’t miss out on our upcoming opportunities! If your facility is interested in joining the Blue Band Project or other future rollouts, please contact us for more information and support. Please reach out to Ella.Rusnacko@minnesotaperinatal.org


Thank You Dr. Sabol

We are incredibly grateful for Dr. Sabol’s hard work and dedication as a Faculty Lead on the Hypertension Workgroup over the past 2 years. Her expertise has been invaluable, and it’s been a privilege to work alongside her.