 The Tennessee High Risk Perinatal Program (Tennessee Perinatal Care system) was established in 1974 as a High Risk Newborn Program by T.C.A. 68-1-801/804. It was expanded in 1977 to include high-risk obstetrics. The program focuses on the diagnosis and treatment of certain life-threatening conditions of pregnant women, fetuses and neonates.
Perinatal Center Services
- Employment of perinatal outreach and support services personnel.
- An emergency transportation system for transport of high-risk neonatal patients to the Regional Centers.
- Equipment for the diagnosis and treatment of high-risk patients moms and babies.
- Perinatal outreach education and in-service programs for physicians, nurses, and certain allied health professionals.
- Consultation to physicians and nurses and social workers.
- Evaluation of the Perinatal Program by a Perinatal Data System.
The Perinatal Regionalization System includes five designated perinatal centers which have implemented and individualized programs that address consultation, patient referral, communication, provision of specialized equipment, high-risk transport, in-service/outreach education for caregivers and site visits to local hospitals. The University of Tennessee Medical Center is one of these state-designated Perinatal Centers. Funding for this program has been appropriated through the State Legislature yearly since July of 1976.
The Perinatal Advisory Committee advises the Tennessee Department of Health regarding the state of perinatal care in Tennessee. Four sub-committees assist the PAC in this role. Personnel from each Center are appointed to the following committees:
- Data Subcommittee
- Liaison, Legislation and Funding Subcommittee
- Regionalization, Care Levels and Professional Education Subcommittee
- Perinatal Transportation Subcommittee
Regionalization Program Goals
- To reduce perinatal morbidity and mortality associated with medically high-risk conditions.
- To further the statewide development and implementation of the Tennessee Perinatal Regionalization Network.
- To support and enhance the efforts of the Perinatal Advisory Committee and Subcommittees in their advisory role to the department.
For information, class registration, and/or tours of the facility please call us at 865.305.9300 |
