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Perinatal Navigators
PROTECTING OUR
MOST VULNERABLE
Infants dying before their first birthday, commonly known as infant mortality, is a chronic issue in the state of Indiana. In 2017, Indiana held the ninth worst infant mortality rate in the country at 7.2 deaths for every 1,000 births. In collaboration with the Indiana State Department of Health Maternal and Child Services, Union Health has produced the Perinatal Navigator Program (PNP) which is designed to build on Union's excellence in prenatal care and continue to give Wabash Valley's infants the best chance to reach their first of many birthdays.
Six hundred twenty-three babies didn’t live past the age of one in Indiana in 2016: 623.
We can and we will save more of them.
- Governor Eric J. Holcomb
State of the State Address, 2018
NAVIGATORS
Sarah
Sarah’s healthcare career is grown in the Wabash Valley; beginning as a nurse associate and then transitioned to an RN in an Emergency Department. Sarah holds a MS in Nursing Education and has spent time as faculty for Ivy Tech Community College. She is also a founder of The Goodnight Project, a project that provides Pack ‘N Plays to infants. Sarah merges her passion for nursing and educating parents in her role as Perinatal Navigator.
Erin
Erin has a master’s in social work and is a Licensed Social Worker. Erin’s background as a medical social worker has been in hospice in the Wabash Valley, but she is excited for the change in population and focus. Erin was once a high risk mother, and because of this, is passionate about educating mothers to be to ensure healthy mom and baby.
Abbey
Abbey has experience treating the Wabash Valley's most vulnerable patients. Her experience as a nurse in the area’s only Level III NICU at Union Hospital has prepared her for her new role as a Perinatal Navigator. Abbey is excited to follow her passion of caring for infants outside the walls of the NICU and into the community.
Jessica
Jessica has worked as a nurse in various parts of the world as a military spouse. She is currently working at Union Hospital as a Labor and Delivery Nurse and preparing to pursue her Doctorate in Nursing Practice to better serve her community. As a Perinatal Navigator, she is excited to help the Wabash Valley fight infant mortality one mom at a time. With 6 little ones at home, she is passionate about supporting moms and providing them the help they need to be as healthy and successful as possible.
ATTACKING INFANT MORTALITY
1. Understand the Causes
2. Systematically Implement Practices aimed at Decreasing Infant Mortality
3. Reach Those at the Highest Risk through Education, Innovation, & Collaboration
1. Understand the Causes
Indiana monitors infant mortality through 11 regions, the Wabash Valley makes up most of the Central SW region.
The Central SW Region compared to the state has a bigger problem with Sudden Unexpected Infant Deaths (SUIDs) which is impacted by many different factors; some are preventable through proper education. Compared to the rest of the state the Central Southwest Region Mother will more likely be on Medicaid, smoke, and elect to not breastfeed.
Below are graphics from the ISDH IMR Fact Sheet
2. Systematically Implement Practices aimed at Decreasing Infant Mortality
The entire Union Health System offers the Wabash Valley a state of the art approach for pregnant mothers. A patient in UH can receive their prenatal care, deliver their baby, and receive post-partum care without leaving the UH campus. The Perinatal Navigators supplement these resources by meeting with OB patients throughout their pregnancy and help educate anyone they encounter on practices that decrease infant mortality and promote better health outcomes. Below are Practices from the State of Indiana's Fact Sheet.
3. Reach Those at the Highest Risk
The PN program at Union Hospital works with many new patients and counsels them on the benefits of breastfeeding and safe sleep practices. Through this process the Navigators work with staff and implement screening practices to identify patients who qualify for additional support from the Navigators.
The process then turns to a one on one approach where Navigators work with identified patients to enroll them in the Perinatal Navigators Resources, Education, and Support Program (RES). Enrolling in the RES program creates a relationship between the patient and the Navigator that connects the at-risk patient with any available resources, more intense one on one education, and connects them with support available through UHS or in the community.
This Screening Tool has been developed within the Perinatal Navigator Program and continues to be updated to screen for additional at-risk behaviors. Our navigators use this tool as a quick risk stratification tool for further resources.
DISCLAIMER:
This material is for informational purposes only. It does not replace the advice or counsel of a doctor or health care professional. The Lugar Center for Rural Health attempts to provide accurate information but makes no guarantee in this regard. You should consult with, and rely only on the advice of, your physician or healthcare professional.
EDUCATIONAL MATERIALS
Supporting Pregnant mothers in all phases of their pregnancy is integral to what Perinatal Navigators do. Here are some of the educational materials they use with patients during their patients' pregnancy.
DISCLAIMER:
This material is for informational purposes only. It does not replace the advice or counsel of a doctor or health care professional. The Lugar Center for Rural Health attempts to provide accurate information but makes no guarantee in this regard. You should consult with, and rely only on the advice of, your physician or healthcare professional.