What is a PQC?

A Perinatal Quality Collaborative (PQC) is a network of stakeholders that aim to improve pregnancy and infant outcomes through identifying and quickly improving problems through implementation of best practices. PQCs have the unique ability to mobilize across multiple hospitals and healthcare systems throughout the state.

WHY JOIN THE ALPQC?

The ALPQC aims to share opportunities for education and training through collaboration, evidence-based practices, and equitable approaches to improve maternal and infant health outcomes. CMS and BCBS recognize the role that national and statewide quality collaboratives play in improving the overall health of communities and have added participation in such collaborative as a requirement for receiving certain designations.

Centers for Medicaid & Medicare Services

As part of CMS’s 2023 Inpatient Prospective Payment System (IPPS), CMS has launched a publicly reported “Birthing-Friendly” hospital designation for hospitals that participate in a national or statewide quality collaborative (such as ALPQC) and implement recommended interventions. The designation is displayed on the CMS website to identify hospitals that have demonstrated a commitment to improving health outcomes for pregnant and postpartum patients.

Blue Cross Blue Shield

Similarly, BCBS has created the Centers for Maternity Care Blue Distinction and Blue Distinction+ designations for hospitals that meet overall quality measures for patient safety and outcomes. A list of hospitals that receive these designations can be accessed by the public on the BCBS website.

Benefits of Participation

By participating in the ALPQC, hospitals become part of a supportive and collaborative community of hospitals all working towards improving perinatal outcomes in Alabama. Our evidencebased initiatives are developed by the Alliance for Innovation on Maternal Health (AIM) as well as a nationwide network of maternal and neonatal quality collaboratives.