What deaths do we review?
We look at all cases of pregnancy-associated deaths that occur within one year of the end of pregnancy, no matter the cause of death. This includes deaths directly connected to pregnancy, deaths somewhat related to pregnancy, and deaths where the relationship to pregnancy is not clear.
How do we learn about each death?
We gather information from different sources to get a better understanding of each individual and determine whether or not the death could have been prevented. Our abstractors create a case narrative for the MMMRC to review. We also interview family members to gain a deeper understanding of their loved one’s life, the challenges they faced during or after pregnancy, and their experiences with the healthcare system. We review each death with care and respect for the person who passed away and their family. To protect the family’s privacy, we remove all personal and identifying information from the case narratives.
How do we turn our findings into action?
After reviewing a case, we develop specific, actionable recommendations to prevent similar deaths from happening in the future. To ensure a comprehensive approach to preventing these deaths and protecting maternal health, we develop recommendations across all multiple levels:
- Individual:
- Community:
- Healthcare system:
- Policy and government:
You can learn more about the Committee’s review process in our methodology report.