The purpose of this project is to use data analysis to inform the development and implementation of services that can improve maternity care outcomes for pregnant people and infants in Washington. Preterm delivery is an important health outcome as newborns delivered preterm have significant development and health complications that can extend throughout their lives. The rates of preterm delivery for White people in Washington is 7.7% and for Black people is 13.6%, an unacceptable disparity. Geographic variance in access to care impacts the care experience as well, and 31% (12) of Washington counties lack a hospital with a maternity ward.

The analysis will have two phases. First, we will analyze the perinatal care journey for birthing people and their infants to identify variations in outcomes and patterns of care that are associated with positive and negative outcomes such as low utilization of prenatal care, excessive ER use, or lack of adequate postpartum care and follow-up. Second, we will analyze the potential return on investment for expanded and new services, by investing in value-add programs that have the potential to reduce medical spend and improve outcomes in both short-term and long-term

We believe the analysis will demonstrate an ROI associated with increasing access to maternity care in locations and communities that currently are underserved. As a maternity care provider, we hope to then implement solutions in partnership with payers and other health care providers which will lead to tangible outcomes improvement for Washington.