Fetal and Infant Mortality Review

Part 1: Case Review Team (CRT)

The CRT is made up of health service providers, social service providers, first responders, and other local experts who come together to review fetal and infant loss cases. At the beginning of each year, the CRT gathers, reviews, and analyzes fetal and infant loss within Wyandotte County that occurs between 20 weeks gestation and 364 days after birth. CRT members have HIPAA training and keep all personally identifiable case information confidential throughout the FIMR process.

Case review process:

• Case selection: CRT selects cases of fetal and infant loss to review. The CRT does not review certain types of cases, including cases with legal involvement, child abuse, or homicide.
• Data gathering: Sources include public health and medical records.
• Parental Interview: The Wyandotte County Public Health Department reaches out to parents who have experienced fetal or infant loss to provide resources and to ask if they would like to participate in an interview for the FIMR process. If they agree, parents will be interviewed to help inform the CRT's recommendations.
• Case review and recommendations: After reviewing each case, the CRT makes recommendations that would help in reducing fetal and infant loss in Wyandotte County. These recommendations are given to the Community Action Team.

Part 2: Community Action Team (CAT)

The Community Action Team (CAT) is a group made up of community members and local organizations, who use the CRT's recommendations to create solutions and take action to reduce fetal and infant mortality.

• Create a plan: CAT creates the Wyandotte County Fetal and Infant Mortality Reduction Plan (FIMRP) using recommendations from the CRT.
• Implement the plan and track progress: Once the FIMRP is created, the CAT continuously implements, monitors, and evaluates the actions outlined in the plan.

Action items within the FIMRP may look like providing safe sleep classes for community members, implementing telehealth for those that lack prenatal care options, or understanding what provider’s offices are doing to screen/ help those experiencing substance use while pregnant. 

Focus areas identified by the CRT and CAT

Key issues are identified in the CRT recommendations, and the CAT uses these recommendations to determine the focus areas and action steps of the Fetal and Infant Mortality Reduction Plan. While the top identified issues may change year to year, there are common themes that have been identified. The most common include:

1. Safe Sleep (2022, 2021, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016)
2. Access to Consistent and Quality Prenatal Care (2021, 2020, 2018, 2017)
3. Pregnancy Spacing (2021, 2020, 2016)
4. Chronic Illness (2020, 2019, 2016)
5. Substance Use (2019, 2017)

The years listed next to the priorities refer to the years when the fetal and infant loss cases happened, not the year in which the recommendations were made. Data on cases is not always available right away, and it takes time for the CRT to review all cases, which means there is a delay between when the cases occur and when the recommendations are finalized. In 2025, the 2023 recommendations are expected to be finalized, and 2024 case review will begin.

Resources for pregnancy loss, infant loss, and bereavement

If you are thinking about suicide, harm, are in crisis, are worried about a friend or loved one, or would like emotional support, please call or text 988 to reach the 988 Suicide & CrisisLifeline.

If you are concerned about your mental health, please call the National Maternal Mental Health Hotline at 1-833-852-6262.

Let us know you'd like to participate

We need YOU! Community perspective, input, and dedication drive the FIMR. If you would like to serve as a member of the Case Review Team or Community Action Team, please fill out the Wyandotte County Fetal and Infant Mortality Review Interest Form.

WyCo FIMR Interest Form

Ways to get involved

Case Review Team (CRT)

• What CRT members do: Work with the team to review infant and fetal loss cases, then make recommendations to help in reducing fetal and infant loss.
• Time commitment: Quarterly 2-hour meetings
• Who is part of the CRT: The CRT is made up of experts in areas such as healthcare or social services that may connect with people who experience fetal and infant loss.
• Membership is limited: Please note that filling out the interest form does not guarantee a spot on the CRT. Membership with the CRT is by invitation only due to the sensitivity of the meetings

Community Action Team (CAT)

• What CAT members do: Use the CRT's recommendations to create solutions and take action to reduce fetal and infant mortality.
• Time commitment: Meetings every other month for 1 hour. Additional time obligations may be necessary periodically. However, time obligations will not exceed 5 hours per month.
• Who is part of the CAT: The CAT is made up of community members and representatives from local organizations. CAT meetings and membership are open to the public.