South Carolina Postpartum Learning Collaborative (SCPPLC)

The South Carolina Birth Outcomes Initiative (SCBOI), in collaboration with eight other states, has accepted the challenge of improving the quantity and quality of postpartum visits by creating the South Carolina Postpartum Learning Collaborative (SCPPLC). The aims of the SCPPLC are to increase postpartum visits by 15% by the year 2026, with a particular focus on mothers of color in rural areas.

Click here to view the SCPPLC kickoff presentation.

Postpartum care and why it is important

The postpartum period, defined as the 12 weeks after delivery, is an important time for a new mother and her family.

Early engagement and intervention during the postpartum period is important to a new mother's immediate and long-term health. Adequate postpartum care is essential to ensure the physical and emotional well-being of both mom and baby. Timely care can avoid unnecessary complications by addressing chronic conditions and mental health needs before more complex interventions are needed.

Because the weeks following birth set the stage for long-term health and well-being, attention to the health of mothers and babies through postpartum care should become an ongoing process, rather than a single encounter, with services and support tailored to each woman’s needs.

Achieving the Collaborative’s Goals

The SCPPLC aims to achieve its goals by using the Plan-Do-Study-Act (PDSA) cycle. To learn more about PDSA approach, click here.

To download documentation on how to complete the PDSA cycle, click here.

For a worksheet on testing change with the PDSA cycle, click here.

For a PDSA worksheet for QTIP and HPV, click here.

For a complete packet of all PDSA materials, click here.