Research shows that scheduling babies for delivery prior to 39 weeks gestation is connected to a higher likelihood of death, admittance to a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), and life-long health problems.

Yet, an astonishing number of deliveries occur too early with no medical need – 23 percent in Illinois, according to the Leapfrog Group. The numbers show wide variation among hospitals.

The Healthy Babies, Healthy Moms team wants to eliminate early elective deliveries in Illinois. 

In observance of National Influenza Vaccination Week (Dec. 4 to 10), Quest continues its reporting of the percentage of vaccinated employees at regional hospitals with the Flu Shot Percentage Report for the 2011-2012 flu season. It starts with October 2011 data and will be updated monthly through March 2012.

Quest has awarded the Q Award, an annual award presented to a group or individual that advances the Quest mission, to the Health Information Exchange Advisory Council.

“Much of the care that women receive is not consistent with best evidence, despite the unprecedented body of comparative effectiveness research that is available to us in the field of maternity care,” said Maureen Corry, MPH, Executive Director of Childbirth Connection at Quality Quest’s annual board social held August 10 at Lakeview Museum.

Data may actually be entered into the Central Illinois Health Information Exchange (CIHIE) in October. Volunteers gathered to honor the remarkable progress at the CIHIE annual meeting July 12.