State Fetal Infant Mortality Review (FIMR)
Indiana State FIMR Succeeds Using Communication
In Indiana, five local FIMR programs exist-three are new as of 2005. These FIMR programs not only create meaningful community action, but also report their findings, recommendations and successes to IPN.
IPN uses FIMR findings and recommendations to suggest statewide actions. A major effort of Indiana FIMR projects is focused on improving communication and collaboration between local public and private agencies, and fostering coordination among all providers in the community's perinatal care delivery system.
Findings from local FIMR programs have guided IPN to:
- Established this website that offers provider and consumer materials
- Disseminate FIMR recommendations to providers through reports, a statewide perinatal newsletter, this website and regional and state conferences with a focus on actions to intervene on preventable findings
- Disseminate FIMR recommendations to consumers through a multi-media education campaign, Baby First... Right From The Start. The campaign maintains an advisory board representing various regional and ethnic groups throughout Indiana.
- Align materials with national efforts and cover a full range of topics important to expectant parents and families, such as: Preterm Labor Signs, Symptoms and What to Do; Smoking Cessation and Substance Abuse During Pregnancy;
- Prenatal Care; Breastfeeding; Safe Sleeping and Other SIDS Risk-Reduction Messages; Postpartum Depression, Perinatal HIV; Infant Loss and Bereavement; and Child Abuse.
Project Sites and Contact Names
- Marion County: Teri Conard, Marion County Health Department
- Vanderburgh County: Susan Bonhotal, Southwest Indiana Regional Perinatal Advisory Board
- Lake County: Clementine DeBose, Maternal Child Health Network of Lake County
- St. Joseph County: Heidi Pollard, St. Joseph County Health Department
Findings
- Vanderburgh County
- Other Counties
