UT Southwestern approved for $18 million for multicenter trial to improve postpartum care
Summary
DALLAS March 28, 2023 Researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center have been approved for an $18 million funding award from the nonprofit Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI) to investigate ways to improve postpartum health among primarily low-income Black and Hispanic women.The study will employ two models of care to determine which one results in earlier detection and treatment of complications among mothers after delivery. The most common issues involve bleeding, high blood pressure, blood sugar levels, heart problems, wound infections, and mental health issues.The concept and design of this study were inspired by the treatment dilemmas that clinical providers at UT Southwestern and Parkland Health face on a daily basis, Dr. Duryea said.The study builds on knowledge gained from existing UT Southwestern and Parkland programs that aim to reduce high mortality rates among new mothers in southern Dallas County. Maternal health is of the utmost importance, and the findings of this study will provide womens health care providers with more guidance and resources to ensure that their patients receive even better care in the future, said Catherine Spong, M.D., Chair and Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology at UT Southwestern and holder of the Paul C. MacDonald Distinguished Chair in Obstetrics and Gynecology.UT Southwesterns award has been approved pending completion of a business and programmatic review by PCORI staff and issuance of a formal award contract.PCORI is an independent, nonprofit organization authorized by Congress in 2010. Its mission is to fund research that will provide patients, their caregivers, and clinicians with the evidence-based information needed to make better-informed health care decisions. For more information about PCORIs funding, visit pcori.org.UT Southwestern, one of the nations premier academic medical centers, integrates pioneering biomedical research with exceptional clinical care and education.