Skip to main content

Telehealth Initiatives

Telehealth Initiatives

MDMOM Telehealth Initiative for Severe Hypertension in Pregnancy

 
The MDMOM statewide Telehealth Initiative for Severe Hypertension in Pregnancy (MTISH) was conceived in 2022 to bolster efforts from the Maryland Perinatal Quality Collaborative in reducing maternal morbidity and mortality from severe hypertension in pregnancy across the state. In Maryland, hypertensive disorders in pregnancy are a key driver of maternal mortality and severe maternal morbidity.
 
Through the new telehealth initiative, MDMOM aims to:
  1. Improve monitoring of blood pressure for patients at risk or with severe hypertension in pregnancy or postpartum
  2. Establish a menu of adapted mechanisms for hospitals to monitor and follow-up with these patients
  3. Share lessons learned with hospitals and health providers across Maryland.
  MTISH offer to all Maryland birthing hospitals:
  • Distribution of free Bluetooth blood pressure monitors, cuffs, and education materials to patients with or at risk of hypertension in pregnancy or postpartum for self-monitoring

Access our “How to Measure Your Blood Pressure Handout” here in: English  |  Spanish

STATEWIDE BLOOD PRESSURE UNIT DISTRIBUTION


 

RESULTS FROM A STATEWIDE PERINATAL TELEMEDICINE NEEDS ASSESSMENT

Between July and September 2020, the MDMOM Program conducted a qualitative assessment of needs for and capacity to provide perinatal telehealth services in Level I and II birthing hospitals in Maryland. The overarching goal of this assessment was to inform the design and implementation of the statewide perinatal telemedicine network in Maryland.
 
Key finding from this assessment are available here and summarized briefly below:
Less than half of the Level I & II birthing hospitals in the state currently offer obstetric services to high-risk patients through telemedicine. Instead, they refer patients to Johns Hopkins University, University of Maryland Medical System, or Level III hospitals within their health system for specialty care.
The majority of Level I & II birthing hospitals indicated interest in participating in a statewide perinatal telemedicine network.
Perceived benefits of the telemedicine network included improved access to services, convenience, and cost-savings.
Access our publication on Perinatal telemedicine at lower-level birthing hospitals in Maryland and Lessons learned from a landscape analysis


 

CHECK OUR RESOURCE LIBRARY FOR RELATED ARTICLES AND REPORTS

LEARN MORE