Regional Perinatal System (RPS)

Program Description
The Regional Perinatal System (RPS) is part of the Regional Perinatal Programs of California. RPS originated in 1984 as a collaborative project of Children’s Hospital, Sharp HealthCare, and UCSD Healthcare. It serves as a nonpartisan liaison, consultant, and resource for all perinatal providers in San Diego and Imperial Counties. RPS’s mission is to improve the quality and delivery of perinatal health care for all women and newborns in the region. RPS activities are directed by the Regional Perinatal Advisory Board, whose members are appointed from area hospitals and other key organizations, with input from the local perinatal community. In addition to its local activities, RPS also houses the Southern California Perinatal Transport System (CePTS) and two statewide programs which include the California Diabetes & Pregnancy Program (CDAPP) Resource and Data Centers. Some regional activities include:

• Regional perinatal CQI activities and committees
• Clearinghouse for information, referrals, materials, and data
• Perinatal surveys and community needs assessments
• Strategic planning for perinatal services
• Technical assistance for perinatal agencies and groups
• Perinatal ad hoc committees and taskforces
• Quarterly local Cribsheet and state Perinatal Care Matters newsletters
• Collection & dissemination of “no prenatal care” statistics
• Perinatal care protocols and guidelines
• Calendar of perinatal in-service education opportunities
• Community-based professional education classes and seminars

Program Goals

• To improve maternal and perinatal health outcomes by developing and implementing regional perinatal quality improvement programs.
• To improve access to the appropriate level of obstetric and neonatal care.
• To help control the high cost of intensive hospital care by promoting prenatal care for all women in the region.
• To improve community awareness of perinatal health care standards.
• To facilitate collaboration with local health care providers and hospitals to improve infant and maternal health outcomes.

Things You Should Know About Perinatal Health Outcomes*

• In 2001, there were a total of 43,196 total births in San Diego and Imperial Counties
• Of the 43,196 births, 5.8% of the babies had low birth weights of less than 2500 grams
• 250 babies died before reaching their first birthday
• 33.2% of the babies delivered were recipients of Medi-Cal
• 3.1% of the delivering moms were teenagers under the age of 18
• 25.4% of the moms had not completed a high school education
• Only 81.3% of the moms received prenatal care in the first trimester