Systemic Case Review Process for HIV and Congenital Syphilis (FIMR-HIV/CS)
MACA helped develop the 2015 national methodology for ensuring case review of successes and failures in prevention of HIV in babies. This expanded the work we began in 2010 in collaboration with the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) to assess “holes” in our Illinois perinatal HIV prevention safety net that were missing key steps in treatment and prevention. We leveraged an approach based on Fetal Infant Mortality Review (FIMR) to look at morbidity and disease outcomes.
The bottom line is this: We have methods that can, and should, ensure that no child begins life with HIV infection and put women on track after pregnancy to remain HIV-free long after their children become adults. The FIMR/HIV Prevention Methodology is an effective way for communities to ensure that these methods are used.
Our safety net for prevention of transmission of HIV from mother to child can also be used to prevent Congenital Syphilis. We must look at both successes and failures of prevention to make sure the safety net is effective. By looking at failures or missed opportunities, we can identify where we need to strengthen the net and close the holes.
The FIMR-HIV/CS brings together key partners in an action-oriented quarterly community process convened by IDPH. Participants include MACA, the Hotline, Illinois Perinatal Network, DCFS, Cook County Department of Public Health, Cook County Jail, John Stroger Hospital, Northwestern Memorial, University of Chicago Hospitals, CDPH, moms and dads living with HIV, and various statewide partners.
We review how pregnant women living with HIV or pregnant women diagnosed with syphilis in Illinois were connected to care and treatment for optimal birth and pediatric outcomes. Each session assesses, monitors, and identifies areas of improvement in service systems and community resources for women, newborns, and families.