Maternal Mortality Review Committee

Q: Do the following factors contribute to cases and are they reviewed: hemorrhage screening, D&C
procedures, delays in care, misdiagnosis, physician shortages in Idaho, OB department closures in Idaho, and
recently enacted laws impacting medical practice?
A: The Idaho Maternal Mortality Review Committee reviews each maternal death methodically, looking for any
factor that may have contributed to the death. These include, as a matter of discussion, whether appropriate
diagnoses were made, procedures performed, and screenings completed based on the acceptable community
standard of care. Patient-specific findings are used to develop the report and its accompanying
recommendations, which also assess whether instances of suboptimal care or treatment delays were present.
The committee does not evaluate provider competency, triage protocols, validity of hospital care pathways,
standard operating procedures, or other broad healthcare factors beyond the purview of the MMRC; rather,
its focus is on the specific maternal death being investigated. The committee is given a narrow scope and as
such will not comment on broader healthcare concerns in the state of Idaho.
Based on the available records reviewed, the committee found that neither delays in care nor medical error
were contributing factors in the 2023 maternal deaths. This determination may change in futures years based
on the available evidence and findings of the committee.

Q: What was the reason for the absence of a “House” presentation of the most recent MMRC
Legislative Report, and could you clarify the legislative process regarding this matter?
A: The finalized 2023 MMRC report was provided to the leadership in the Idaho Legislature via email. An offer
was extended to both the Idaho House and Senate Health and Welfare Committees for an oral presentation of
the report findings. Only the Idaho Senate Committee accepted the offer and scheduled a presentation date.
The MMRC appreciated this opportunity to highlight its findings and answer questions the legislature had.

Questions for the MMRC may be submitted via email at MMRC@dopl.idaho.gov.