The percentage of pregnancy-associated deaths identified within 12 months of death (Perinatal Mortality Review).
Current Value
77%
Definition
Measure Definition
Per guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), this measure is calculated by:
Numerator: # of pregnancy-associated deaths that occurred in the year identified within 12 months of death
Denominator: # of pregnancy-associated deaths that occurred in the year identified within and after 12 months of death
A pregnancy-associated death is any death that occurs during pregnancy or within 1 year of the pregnancy ending
Data interpretation: Among pregnancy-associated deaths that occurred in 2021, 77% were identified by the Perinatal Mortality Review team within 12 months of the death.
Story Behind the Curve
The Utah Department of Health and Human Services closely monitors maternal mortality. Timely identification of maternal deaths allows us to better understand maternal mortality and recognize promising prevention opportunities in Utah. In recent years, additional funding has given us the capacity to improve our case identification methods.
Logistics, such as the merger between the Department of Health and the Department of Human Services, delays in data-sharing agreements and receiving records, and staff capacity can hold up the timely identification of maternal deaths. Further refinement of our processes will continue to improve the timeliness of identifying maternal deaths.