Perinatal Regionalization and Telehealth

The Perinatal Regionalization System is a statewide infrastructure that supports an appropriate, accessible high-risk perinatal and neonatal health care system that meets the needs of high-risk infants and child-bearing aged women in Tennessee. This system includes 24-hour telephone consultation with physicians and nurses, professional education within the region, transportation of high-risk pregnant women and infants if needed, and post-neonatal follow-up. Funding is provided by the state to five designated regional tertiary centers to assure that the infrastructure for high-risk perinatal services is in place statewide. The perinatal telehealth program provides telehealth visits to high-risk pregnant women targeting areas with high rates of maternal and infant mortality and morbidity to improve health outcomes.