CMH earns 2026 MO PQC Star designation for maternal health excellence
CMH recognized for improving care for severe hypertension in pregnancy
Citizens Memorial Hospital has earned the 2026 MO PQC Star designation for its work to improve the recognition and treatment of severe hypertension in pregnant and postpartum patients.
The Missouri Perinatal Quality Collaborative, in partnership with the Missouri Hospital Association, recognized CMH for its participation in the Severe Hypertension in Pregnancy Quality Improvement Collaborative. The initiative helps hospitals implement evidence-based practices designed to improve maternal safety and reduce complications associated with severe hypertension.
Severe hypertension during pregnancy and the postpartum period can lead to serious complications if it is not recognized and treated quickly. Through the collaborative, CMH worked to strengthen standardized practices that help clinical teams identify severe hypertension and provide timely, evidence-based care.
To earn the MO PQC Star designation, participating hospitals were required to meet standards for engagement, data reporting and implementation of evidence-based patient safety practices. Requirements included at least 75% participation in project education, clinical calls and coaching sessions; submission of at least 85% of project-specific quality data; and implementation and continued use of at least 90% of applicable patient safety bundle elements from the Alliance for Innovation on Maternal Health.
“Severe hypertension can develop quickly during pregnancy or after delivery, so recognizing it and responding quickly is critical,” said Staci Rogers, M.D., CMH chief medical officer and board-certified obstetrician and gynecologist. “This initiative has helped us strengthen how we identify and treat patients with severe hypertension. The goal is to ensure every patient receives timely, evidence-based care when it matters most.”
The MO PQC is a statewide network of clinicians, hospitals, public health professionals and community partners working to improve health outcomes for pregnant and postpartum patients and infants. The collaborative uses data and evidence-based quality improvement initiatives to support safer maternal and infant care across Missouri.