New educational campaign from The Joint Commission teaches how to advocate for safe care during and after pregnancy – GlobeNewswire

February 16, 2021 14:30 ET | Source: Joint Commission

OAKBROOK TERRACE, Ill., Feb. 16, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Joint Commission has released Speak Up for New Parents, a new educational campaign that teaches how to advocate for safe care during and after pregnancy. The campaign helps new parents become aware of warning signs and symptoms that may indicate medical help is needed.

As the United States is the only developed country with a rising maternal mortality rate, The Joint Commission is focused on improving maternal health. The Speak Up campaign provides information on how to spot signs of hypertension and preeclampsia, hemorrhage, infection, and depression, as well as tips to address each of these medical issues.

Hypertension and preeclampsia Before, during and after pregnancy, mothers may have high blood pressure, also called hypertension. It can occur with preeclampsia, a serious condition that can affect the baby and lead to other problems.

Hemorrhage Hemorrhage is severe bleeding during or immediately after birth.

Infection New mothers are at risk for infection.

Depression It is not unusual for new mothers to experience the baby blues. Postpartum depression affects 10-20% of new mothers.

If mothers experience any of these warning signs, they should call their OB provider or nurse immediately.

It is critical to educate all new parents on how to spot warning signs for medical issues that may arise during and after pregnancy as it can help save a mother or babys life, says Ana Pujols McKee, MD, executive vice president, chief medical officer, and chief diversity and inclusion officer, The Joint Commission. Whether its your first child or third child, the new Speak Up for New Parents campaign provides helpful tips to recognize these warning signs and encourages parents to become advocates in their own care. If you think something is wrong, please speak up to your care team.

As part of its efforts to address maternal health issues, The Joint Commission implemented new requirements to help improve the quality and safety of care provided to women during all stages of pregnancy and postpartum, effective January 1, 2021. In addition, The Joint Commission began to publicly report on two Perinatal Care (PC) measures in January 2021.

The Speak Up campaign includes an informational poster inbothEnglish and Spanish, as well as an animated video that features examples on how to spot warning signs and prevent serious complications before and after pregnancy.

Organizations are free to reproduce and disseminate Speak Up for New Parents materials if they credit The JointCommission.

About theSpeak Up program Launched in 2002, the award-winningSpeak Upprogram has been used in more than 70 countries. It encourages patients to be their own advocates and to:

The Joint Commissions refreshedSpeak Up program that debuted in 2018, after national market research including focus group feedback from patients and their families.

For updates on newSpeak Up campaigns as they become available, sign up for email alerts or subscribe to the e-newsletter Joint Commission Online. For more information about theSpeak Up program, visitThe Joint Commission website.

About The Joint Commission Founded in 1951,The Joint Commissionseeks to continuously improve health care for the public, in collaboration with other stakeholders, by evaluating health care organizations and inspiring them to excel in providing safe and effective care of the highest quality and value. The Joint Commission accredits and certifies more than 22,000 health care organizations and programs in the United States. An independent, nonprofit organization, The Joint Commission is the nations oldest and largest standards-setting and accrediting body in health care. Learn more about The Joint Commission atwww.jointcommission.org.

Media Contact: Maureen Lyons Corporate Communications (630) 792-5171 mlyons@jointcommission.org

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New educational campaign from The Joint Commission teaches how to advocate for safe care during and after pregnancy - GlobeNewswire