Fetal Infant Mortality Review Program

A Guide to the Fetal Infant Mortality Review (FIMR) Program in Washoe County  

The Fetal Infant Mortality Review (FIMR) Program looks at a variety of factors that affect the health of the mother, fetus and infant to learn more about how to reduce fetal and infant mortality. The Northern Nevada Public Health (NNPH) FIMR Program is the first in Nevada and was implemented in 2014 by the Maternal, Child and Adolescent Health Program at Northern Nevada Public Health (NNPH).  Program activities are funded through the Nevada State Division of Public and Behavioral Health through a grant from the Health Resources and Services Administration.

The Purpose of FIMR:

The purpose of the NNPH FIMR Program is to understand how a wide array of social, economic, health, educational, environmental and safety issues relate to fetal and infant loss on a local level. The goal is to enhance the health and well-being of women, infants, and their families through improved community resources and service delivery systems.

Benefits of FIMR:

• Empowers and inspires communities to create local solutions.
• Identifies opportunities for interagency partnerships.
• Facilitates the grieving process for families and connects them with support.
• Enhances understanding of community needs by presenting the whole picture.
• Improves existing service delivery systems and the quality of services provided.
• Reduces gaps in care.

The FIMR Process:

• Death Occurs

The FIMR Process begins when the program is notified that a fetal or infant death has occurred. The FIMR Program receives referrals from hospitals, clinics, the Office of Vital Statistics, case management programs and other perinatal providers

• Grief and Bereavement Support

FIMR staff contact parents through phone calls and home or hospital visits soon after the pregnancy loss or infant death. Staff provide emotional support, information, and referrals to other services that assist parents and families.

• Maternal Interview

The maternal interview is the heart of the FIMR Program and makes FIMR unique among other case review processes. The interview allows the mother’s voice to be heard and provides her with the opportunity to share her experiences before, during, and after pregnancy.

• Records Review

The FIMR Program reviews information from a variety of sources, including medical records, birth and death certificates, coroner’s reports, and records from health and social service agencies.

• Case Review

A case summary is prepared using information from the maternal interview and records review. The summary is de-identified to assure the confidentiality of patients, providers and health care facilities. The case summary is then presented to the Case Review Team (CRT) for review. This team represents a range of professional organizations and public and private agencies that provide services and resources for women, infants and families.

• Community Action and Interventions

The next step in the process is to turn CRT recommendations into action. Issue-specific task force groups are assembled to implement interventions designed to address the problems identified by the CRT. The goal is to reduce fetal and infant mortality.

FIMR IS:    

• A demonstrated method of gathering critical information not addressed by other mortality and morbidity reviews.
• A warning system that guides changes in health care delivery systems.
• A means of implementing core public health functions, such as assessment, continuous quality assurance and policy development.
• An in-depth process that uncovers the patterns and causes associated with fetal and infant death.
• A collaborative, action-oriented, community-based approach that leads to improved services and community resources for childbearing families.

Printable Document - Print out information about FIMR

Contact Information:

Northern Nevada Public Health

Maternal Child and Adolescent Health                                     

FIMR Program

1001 East Ninth St. Building B

Reno, NV 89512

Phone: 775-328-2430

Fax: 775-785-4188

E-mail: kverling@nnph.org 

Resources

• National Center for Fatality Review and Prevention
• Maternal, Child and Adolescent Health (MCH)
• Nevada Statewide Maternal and Child Health Coalition
• Pregnancy & Infant Loss Support Organization of the Sierras