HARTFORD, CT — Saint Francis Hospital has received an $85,000 grant to launch a program aimed at improving health outcomes for pregnant and postpartum patients at risk for hypertension and preeclampsia.
The grant from the Coverys Community Healthcare Foundation will support the hospital's new Maternal Outreach Monitoring for Health Equity, Advocacy, Response and Treatment program, known as MOM-HEART.
The program will combine support from community health workers with home blood pressure monitoring, access to social care resources and direct communication with obstetric care teams.
Hospital officials said the goal is to identify potential warning signs sooner, improve coordination of care and reduce the risk of serious maternal complications.
"Hypertension and preeclampsia remain among the leading causes of maternal morbidity and mortality, particularly among populations that experience barriers to care," said Dr. Hildred Rochon, vice chair of obstetrics and gynecology at Saint Francis Hospital.
"Through MOM-HEART, we are creating a proactive system that empowers patients to monitor their health, strengthens communication between patients and providers, and enables earlier intervention when warning signs emerge," Rochon said. "Our goal is to ensure every mother has access to the support and care she needs for a healthy pregnancy and recovery."
The initiative will use Trinity Health of New England's community-clinical integration model to continue supporting patients after they leave the hospital and help address medical and social factors that could affect their health.
"MOM-HEART represents an important opportunity to extend care beyond the hospital and into the communities where mothers live, work, and raise their families," said Carolyn Alessi, regional director of community health and well-being for Trinity Health of New England.
Alessi said combining community health worker assistance, blood pressure monitoring and connections to social resources could help patients navigate the postpartum period and receive timely care when concerns develop.
The grant will also pay for health equity training for obstetric providers.
According to Saint Francis, the training will focus on maternal health outcomes, systemic factors contributing to racial disparities in maternal and infant health, patient communication, and interventions intended to promote more equitable care.
MOM-HEART was to be implemented this summer.
The initiative follows other maternal health efforts at Saint Francis, including its Orange Bracelet Program and the opening of a dedicated Obstetrics Emergency Department.
Hospital officials said they plan to use the pilot program to develop and refine a maternal health care model that can be evaluated and potentially expanded across Trinity Health of New England.
"Through collaboration, innovation and a shared commitment to health equity, we have an opportunity to improve outcomes for mothers and babies while creating a model for the future of maternal care," said Dr. Karianne Silverman, chair of the Women and Infants Service Line for Trinity Health of New England.
Saint Francis Hospital is a 617-bed teaching hospital and Level 1 Trauma Center in Hartford. It has operated in Connecticut since 1897 and is part of Trinity Health of New England.
For more information on the grant, click on this link.
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