Studies have found that virtual care increases patient satisfaction, but questions remain about whether health systems are prepared to make the shift to virtual models. Industry experts discuss the role of managed care organizations in reducing pregnancy complications, and maternal mental health and the prevalence of maternity care deserts in the US continue to draw critical attention. 

Medicaid covers nearly half of annual births in the U.S. Under the status quo, that coverage ends 60 days postpartum. As a temporary measure during Covid-19, women who would usually lose Medicaid eligibility now remain covered up to one-year postpartum — in many states, however, that change is not here to stay.

This month, Babyscripts sat down with our partners at Baystate Health and Techspring to talk about innovation in women’s health. This is part III of our conversation series, highlighting Baystate's vision for the future of Babyscripts at the health system, including integration with the EMR, incorporating the payer, and where they see innovation headed in women's health. 

As investment into digital health continues to surge, the industry is discussing opportunities for using and improving the technology. Research shows that combatting misinformation can reduce preventable pregnancy health risks, and that racial disparities among pregnant women include disproportionate increases in PPD for women of color.  

This month, Babyscripts sat down with our partners at Baystate Health and Techspring to talk about innovation in women’s health. This is part II of our conversation series, highlighting the impact of using Babyscripts for Baystate's maternity population, including two successful interventions for blood pressure events. 

This month, Babyscripts sat down with our partners at Baystate Health to talk about innovation in women’s health. 

Kathaleen Barker, MD, Asst. Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology at University of Massachusetts Medical School - Baystate, and Joe Diver, Director of Digital Transformation at Baystate Health, discussed why they’re planning to streamline the delivery of digital health tools through integration, how funding from unexpected sources made a critical difference in Baystate’s deployment of virtual tools, and why their pilot with Babyscripts is just the beginning of their plans to transform the women’s health service line. 

As more information is unveiled revealing the harmful effects of social healthcare disparities on minority groups, efforts are being made to find solutions. New strategies in the digital health space include an emerging government-backed tech program. The industry delves into trends around worsening pregnancy outcomes and increasing risk. 

New HHS rules have been put in place to encourage collaboration and innovation between care providers, including provision of virtual tools to affiliates and community physicians. 

Hospitals have a vested interest in offering prenatal education and care, even if they do not employ obstetricians but simply host deliveries. There is substantial medical research to show that prenatal care has significant effects on infant and maternal outcomes, including preterm birth, low birthweight, preeclampsia and other complications that carry substantial cost to the health system.

In the news, maternal mental health continues to show itself a massive casualty of the pandemic, and industry professionals are weighing better ways to assess and manage it in the future. As the digital health boom enters into its post-pandemic stage, some tools are standing out from among the rest, and patient experience is a central concern. 

Remote patient monitoring (RPM) is increasingly becoming an imperative for health systems, with unexpected benefits.  

RPM was growing in popularity long before Covid. It was being used to supplement a strained physician workforce, provide a more continuous connection between providers and patients, and respond to the increased consumer demand for convenient healthcare solutions. 

When the pandemic hit, RPM became a necessity for those who had the infrastructure to deploy it. As safety concerns and social distancing restrictions complicated access to in-person care, RPM was used to fill the gaps, keeping patients safe at home without compromising their care. 

Now with the increased use of RPM, health systems are discovering another benefit — the ability of remote monitoring to accurately capture blood pressure readings compromised by white coat syndrome, and identify and manage potential adverse health outcomes.