Other Titles

Identifying Gaps Using Fetal Infant Mortality Review [Title Slide]

Abstract

In the United States, about 23,000 liveborn babies die before their first birthday (National Center for Fatality Review and Prevention (NCFRP), October, 2021). Almost an equal number of babies are stillborn (NCFRP, October 2021). Reducing stillbirths and newborn deaths is a global priority. Ensuring all childbearing women and babies receive the right care, at the right time, from the right people is vital to reduce fetal infant deaths (Homer et al, 2020). The Fetal and Infant Mortality Review (FIMR) examines fetal and infant deaths (National Center for Fatality Review and Prevention (NCFRP), 2024a). FIMR is community owned and action-oriented to improve services and resources for childbearing families. A case review team (CRT) is a multi-disciplinary team trained to review fetal death data. Social, economic, cultural, safety, health and systems factors are explored. The case review of infant/fetal death cases results in identification of gaps in care. The CRT makes recommendations for the community action team (CAT).The CAT implements programs to address the areas of concern through services in the community (NCFRP, 2024b). The power of the FIMR process is that is not dependent on political or monetary aspects, but rather is locally driven by volunteers engaged in the community. Nurses are often able to see where the process of care is failing. The unique knowledge that nurses hold about their community and client population makes them an effective member on the FIMR CRT. Membership of the CRT should exemplify partnerships between public health, doctors, nurses, service agencies, and people/communities using the services (NCFRP, 2021). FIMR reviews all fetal deaths after 20 weeks up to 1 year of life (NCFRP, 2021). This community based initiative can be easily implemented.

Notes

Reference list included in attached slide deck.

Description

The Fetal and Infant Mortality Review (FIMR) is an evidence-based process to improve service systems and resources for women, infants and families.

Author Details

Angela M. Schooley, PhD, RN, CNE

Sigma Membership

Mu Omega

Type

Presentation

Format Type

Text-based Document

Study Design/Type

Other

Research Approach

Translational Research/Evidence-based Practice

Keywords:

Academic-clinical Partnership, Health Equity, Social Determinants of Health, Public and Community Health

Conference Name

48th Biennial Convention

Conference Host

Sigma Theta Tau International

Conference Location

Indianapolis, Indiana, USA

Conference Year

2025

Rights Holder

All rights reserved by the author(s) and/or publisher(s) listed in this item record unless relinquished in whole or part by a rights notation or a Creative Commons License present in this item record. All permission requests should be directed accordingly and not to the Sigma Repository. All submitting authors or publishers have affirmed that when using material in their work where they do not own copyright, they have obtained permission of the copyright holder prior to submission and the rights holder has been acknowledged as necessary.

Review Type

Abstract Review Only: Reviewed by Event Host

Acquisition

Proxy-submission

Date of Issue

2025-11-24

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Identifying Gaps Through Fetal Infant Mortality Review

Indianapolis, Indiana, USA

In the United States, about 23,000 liveborn babies die before their first birthday (National Center for Fatality Review and Prevention (NCFRP), October, 2021). Almost an equal number of babies are stillborn (NCFRP, October 2021). Reducing stillbirths and newborn deaths is a global priority. Ensuring all childbearing women and babies receive the right care, at the right time, from the right people is vital to reduce fetal infant deaths (Homer et al, 2020). The Fetal and Infant Mortality Review (FIMR) examines fetal and infant deaths (National Center for Fatality Review and Prevention (NCFRP), 2024a). FIMR is community owned and action-oriented to improve services and resources for childbearing families. A case review team (CRT) is a multi-disciplinary team trained to review fetal death data. Social, economic, cultural, safety, health and systems factors are explored. The case review of infant/fetal death cases results in identification of gaps in care. The CRT makes recommendations for the community action team (CAT).The CAT implements programs to address the areas of concern through services in the community (NCFRP, 2024b). The power of the FIMR process is that is not dependent on political or monetary aspects, but rather is locally driven by volunteers engaged in the community. Nurses are often able to see where the process of care is failing. The unique knowledge that nurses hold about their community and client population makes them an effective member on the FIMR CRT. Membership of the CRT should exemplify partnerships between public health, doctors, nurses, service agencies, and people/communities using the services (NCFRP, 2021). FIMR reviews all fetal deaths after 20 weeks up to 1 year of life (NCFRP, 2021). This community based initiative can be easily implemented.