New York City-based NYC Health + Hospitals has launched a $2.75 million initiative to strengthen maternal-fetal care using PeriWatch Vigilance, an early warning and clinical decision support tool.
The technology, from PeriGen, is active at NYC Health + Hospitals/North Central Bronx and will be rolled out across all 11 of the system’s hospitals by the end of the year, according to a March 26 news release. The tool consolidates maternal and fetal data — including heart rate, vital signs, contractions and labor progression — and uses color-coded alerts to notify clinicians when patients may require immediate intervention. It will be used in labor and delivery units, postpartum areas, emergency departments and other locations where pregnant patients receive care.
Health system officials said the tool will support efforts to reduce maternal complications and improve consistency in obstetric care.
The initiative comes as national progress on maternal health has stalled. The U.S. received a “D+” for the fourth consecutive year on a maternal and infant health report, with a 10.4% preterm birth rate and persistent racial disparities in both preterm birth and maternal mortality. Black mothers had a preterm birth rate of nearly 15%, about 1.5 times higher than the overall average.
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