TexasAIM
TexasAIM’s Bundle: Severe Hypertension in Pregnancy
The TexasAIM Plus Severe Hypertension in Pregnancy Learning Collaborative enrollment is closed.
Even if your hospital was previously enrolled in TexasAIM for the Obstetric Hemorrhage Bundle, you must complete the enrollment form and supporting documents to enroll in TexasAIM for the Severe Hypertension in Pregnancy Bundle and reconfirm your commitment to this work.
There is no deadline to enroll in TexasAIM Basic for Severe Hypertension in Pregnancy.
If you have any questions or concerns, please email us at TexasAIM@dshs.texas.gov.
TexasAIM
The Department of State Health Services (DSHS) has teamed up with the Alliance for Innovation on Maternal Health (AIM) and the Texas Hospital Association (THA) to create the TexasAIM initiative. TexasAIM will help hospitals and clinics in Texas carry out maternal safety projects.
Our goal is to end preventable maternal death and severe maternal morbidity. DSHS has put together a team of experts to guide the implementation of AIM throughout Texas.
What is AIM?
AIM is a program used by hospitals and communities across the country. AIM helps hospitals and communities improve maternal safety through implementing best-practices. They work with state teams and health systems to achieve these goals.
Find more information on AIM on the About AIM webpage.
AIM Maternal Safety Bundles
An AIM Maternal Safety Bundle is a collection of best practices for improving maternal care. Experts in the field have vetted these practices to ensure their effectiveness. Each bundle focuses on a specific maternal health and safety topic.
TexasAIM supports the Obstetric Hemorrhage Bundle, the Obstetric Care for Women with Opioid Use Disorder Bundle, and the Severe Hypertension in Pregnancy Bundle.
- Find more information on the Obstetric Hemorrhage Bundle on the Obstetric Hemorrhage Bundle page.
- Find more information on the Obstetric Care for Women with Opioid Use Disorder Bundle on the Obstetric Care for Women with Opioid Use Disorder Bundle page.
- Find more information on the Severe Hypertension Bundle on the Severe Hypertension Bundle page.
Getting Started
Any Texas birthing hospital system can join the growing and engaged Texas AIM community. We provide help and can connect you to the Patient Safety Bundles, AIM tools, and the AIM data portal. Enrollment is voluntary, and there is no deadline to join.
Upcoming Events and Webinars
Please visit our Obstetric Hemorrhage Bundle page for a list of upcoming events and webinars. Find past webinar recordings on this page also.
Receive bi-weekly updates on TexasAIM. Join the contact list for our newsletter.
Next Steps
Interested in implementing AIM Maternal Safety Bundles in your hospital? Want more information? Please complete the TexasAIM Enrollment Form at the top of the page or email TexasAIM@dshs.texas.gov.
Frequently Asked Questions
TexasAIM Frequently Asked Questions and Answers Document
Commissioner Hellerstedt’s Letter Announcing TexasAIM
Dr. Hellerstedt sent a letter to Texas birthing facilities announcing the launch of TexasAIM.
A copy of the letter can be found at the following link:
Dr. Hellerstedt’s Letter to Birthing Hospitals
Texas Hospitals enrolled in Texas AIM
Find a map of the hospitals enrolled in TexasAIM as of May 20, 2019 and review the 2022 Maternal Health & Safety Initiatives Legislative Report for a copy of a TexasAIM Map of Current Hospitals.
Maternal Health & Safety Initiatives
Read about DSHS’ maternal health and safety initiatives including:
- The TexasAIM Initiative;
- The Maternal Health and Safety Awareness, Education, and Communication Campaign; and
- The High-Risk Maternal Care Coordination Services Program.
Download the Maternal Health & Safety Initiatives Legislative Report (PDF).
Texas Department of State Health Services
Maternal & Child Health
PO Box 149347, Mail Code 1922
Austin, TX 78714-9347
512-776-7373: Phone
512-458-7658: Fax
TitleV@dshs.texas.gov
External links are informational and do not have the endorsement of the Department of State Health Services. These sites may also not be accessible to individuals with disabilities.
COVID-19 Information
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Issues Statement on Pregnancy Health and COVID-19
On October 25, 2022, the CDC provided updated information for people who are pregnant.
What You Need to Know:
- To maximize protection from variants and prevent possibly spreading the virus to others, wear a mask indoors in public in areas with a high COVID-19 Community Level. People who are pregnant or have other conditions that could put them at higher risk for severe illness should speak with their healthcare provider about wearing a mask in public indoor spaces at the medium COVID-19 Community Level.
- Although the overall risks are low, if you are pregnant or were recently pregnant, you are more likely to get very sick from COVID-19 compared to people who are not pregnant. Additionally, if you have COVID-19 during pregnancy, you are at increased risk of complications that can affect your pregnancy and developing baby.
- Having certain underlying medical conditions, and other factors, including age, can further increase the risk for getting very sick from COVID-19 during or recently after pregnancy (for at least 42 days following end of pregnancy).
- People who are pregnant or recently pregnant and those who live with or visit them should take steps to protect themselves from getting sick with COVID-19.
Despite this CDC recommendation and evidence indicating that COVID-19 vaccines are both safe and effective during pregnancy, currently only 20% of pregnant people received an updated booster dose prior to or during pregnancy. That percentage drops to 7.9% for Hispanic or Latino pregnant people and 8.1% for pregnant non-Hispanic Black women, revealing persistent health disparities.
Find where to get vaccinated near you on the federal Vaccine Finder website. Learn more about pregnancy and COVID-19 on the DSHS coronavirus webpage.
Additionally, the general public and health care providers can access the Maternal and Child Health Bureau-funded resource, MotherToBaby, via chat, text, phone, and email to receive up-to-date, evidence-based information on the effects of COVID-19 and the COVID-19 vaccines during pregnancy and while breastfeeding.
Now Available For Providers: Order COVID-19 Vaccines and Pregnancy Poster Through DSHS
DSHS' TexasAIM program has a free poster to encourage pregnant people, people who are breastfeeding, and people trying to get pregnant now or in the future, to receive the COVID-19 vaccine.
Providers can now order the 17 X 24 posters from the Health and Human Services/DSHS Warehouse. Put these posters in hospitals, clinics, or other places where families visit.
You can also download and print the color and black and white 8.5 X 11 posters from the links below.
- English color poster (PDF)
- English black and white poster (PDF)
- Spanish color poster (PDF)
- Spanish black and white poster (PDF)
Social Media Content to Promote Awareness About COVID-19 Vaccines
Use DSHS' social media content about pregnancy and COVID-19 vaccines through the DSHS Basecamp website.
If you choose to use DSHS' social media content, please tag @TexasDSHS when sharing the graphics or videos on social media. We recommend using the "Pregnancy, Fertility and COVID-19 Vaccines" graphics all together.
COVID-19 vaccines are safe and help protect mothers and babies. There is no evidence of miscarriages, stillbirths, or preterm births linked to COVID-19 vaccines.
We need your help to encourage this population to get vaccinated. Together we can help protect Texas mothers, mothers-to-be and babies against COVID-19.
More COVID-19 vaccine information is available on the DSHS coronavirus webpage.