Perinatal High Risk Case Finding

About the Program

Category: Health (Best in Category)

Year: 2011

Disparity between black and white infant deaths has plagued US communities for many years. Research shows that nurse home visitation is effective in reducing contributing factors that lead to poor birth outcomes, especially in disparate populations. Public health agencies often struggle with engaging vulnerable women in home visitation services. Because WIC is a catchment service that attracts target clients by offering free, nutritious food, uniting nursing services from within the WIC program provides an opportunity for clients to receive holistic services that meet their comprehensive needs. Beginning in May 2009, WIC began integrating public health nurses into its program, which provided face-to-face opportunities for nurses to engage high-risk clients in an initial visit and establish a warm relationship with the client that promotes agreement to subsequent home visitation services from the same nurse. Home visitation during pregnancy encourages early and adequate prenatal care, smoking cessation, healthy eating and addresses illness conditions and other risk behaviors that lead to poor birth outcomes, including premature birth. The Perinatal High Risk Case finding project proved effective. For the period of May 2009 – March 2010, WIC referrals to public health nurses increased 40 percent from the previous year. Receptivity by clients for follow-up visits in the home improved 14 percent as well.