Sources of Funding
STATE MATERNAL HEALTH INNOVATION
No
TITLE V MCH SERVICES BLOCK GRANT
Yes
Scope of cases reviewed
All pregnancy-associated deaths occuring in a calendar year among Texas residents with an indication of pregnancy within up to one year of the end of pregnancy except for motor vehicle crashes not involving vehicular homicide or suicide are reviewed to determine pregnancy-relatedness. The scope of the Texas MMMRC review is all pregnancy-related deaths.
Individuals, Disciplines, and Organizations Represented on Review
Organizations |
Core Disciplines |
Specialty Disciplines |
Academic Institutions
FIMR/CDR Programs
Healthy Start Agencies
Hospitals/Hospital Association
Professional Assoc. State Chapters
State Medical Society
State Title V Program
|
Community Advocates
Family Medicine
Forensic Pathology
Maternal Fetal Medicine/Perinatology
Nurse Midwifery
Obstetrics and Gynecology
Perinatal Nursing
Psychiatry
Public Health
Social Work
|
Community Leadership
Critical Care Medicine
Epidemiology
Mental Health Provider
|
Success Stories
Policy Impact
Policymakers, researchers, stakeholders, and the public have focused considerable attention toward the issues of maternal mortality and severe maternal morbidity (MM/SMM) in Texas. The Texas Maternal Mortality and Morbidity Review Committee (MMMRC) and Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) are committed to improving maternal health and preventing MMM in Texas.
The Maternal Mortality and Morbidity Task Force and Department of State Health Services Joint Biennial Report, September 2018, included findings and recommendations to reduce MM/SMM. These findings and recommendations informed several actions of the 86th Texas Legislature, Regular Session, 2019 and is reflective of the Texas MMMRC’s success in moving recommendations into action.
State Materials
Texas Department of State Health Services
Submitted July 2016, as required by Senate Bill 495, 83rd Legislature, Regular Session 2013. Explanation of processes involved and highlighted findings from evaluation of maternal deaths, and recommendations to help reduce incidence of pregnancy-related deaths and severe maternal morbidity in Texas.
Texas Department of State Health Services
Autopsy Records Request letter sent to a medical examiner’s office, hospital physician, or Justice of the Peace who received custody of the decedent in question. Records requested include the autopsy, toxicology results, and any additional consultant or co-investigation reports.
Texas Department of State Health Services
DSHS report of progress in establishing the task force, submitted to the governor, lieutenant governor, speaker of the House of Representatives, and legislative committees September 2014, as required by Senate Bill 495, 83rd Legislature, Regular Session 2013. Explanation of activities and processes involved in establishing a task force and development of its operating protocols as the group began evaluating cases of pregnancy-related deaths and observed trends in severe maternal morbidity in Texas.
Texas Department of State Health Services
Explanation of methodologies and sources used in various interpretations of the rates of maternal mortality and related causes and risk factors in Texas, as well as examples of activities and collaborations (planned or already in place) directly related to the recommendations made by the Maternal Mortality and Morbidity Task Force.
Texas Department of State Health Services
Fax Cover sheet and Records Request letter sent to hospitals in which the patient in question may have received services, including labor and delivery, postpartum, emergency department, outpatient labs or imaging, behavioral health or substance use treatment, and allied health services.
Texas Department of State Health Services
Fax Cover sheet and Records Request letter sent to health care providers from whom the patient in question may have received services, including prenatal care, postpartum care, general or specialty medicine care, and visits to allied health services providers.
Texas Department of State Health Services
Texas Health and Safety Code gives the Department of State Health Services authority to access health and medical records relevant to cases of pregnancy-associated death and severe morbidity. This learning module provides facilities with an overview of Task Force authority and the facilities’ role in the record request process.
Texas Department of State Health Services
Statute mandating formation of Maternal Mortality and Morbidity Task Force by Senate Bill 495, 83rd Legislature, Regular Session 2013.