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Clinical Quality Initiatives
Maternal Levels of Care
What is Maternal Levels of Care Verification?
The Joint Commission Maternal Levels of Care Verification is a voluntary process for birthing hospitals to conduct a self-assessment on their capability to provide comprehensive, high-quality maternal care ranging from Level I to Level IV. This verification ensures that facilities are equipped to handle a range of maternal care, from routine births to complex, high-risk pregnancies. By meeting rigorous standards coupled with full participation in MI AIM, hospitals demonstrate their commitment to the safety and well-being of both mothers and babies, and further support the goal of reducing maternal morbidity by providing risk-appropriate maternal care.
To further support the success of Michigan’s birthing hospitals, MDHHS will cover the costs associated with MLC, including the annual fee and site visit, making it easier and more affordable for facilities to pursue this certification. Birthing hospitals that complete the requirements of the MLC application, including full MI AIM participation, by July 31, 2025, will receive a quality payment by September 2025, via Michigan Health and Hospitals Association (MHA).
To receive the quality payment in 2025, Michigan birthing hospitals must meet all of the following requirements by July 31, 2025:
For birthing hospitals that submitted the MLC application in 2024:
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Provide a signed commitment form renewing participation in the MI AIM collaborative : 2025 MI-AIM commitment agreement forms should be submitted to Laura Houdeshell-Putt via email at houdeshe@msu.edu.
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Fully participate in MI AIM, including submitting data for MI AIM safety bundles (e.g., hypertension, hemorrhage and/or sepsis).
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Complete the verification on-site visit from The Joint Commission no more than one year after the submission of the 2024 MLC application.
For birthing hospitals planning to apply for MLC verification in 2025:
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Provide a signed commitment form demonstrating participation in the MI AIM collaborative: 2025 MI-AIM commitment agreement forms should be submitted to Laura Houdeshell-Putt via email at houdeshe@msu.edu.
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Fully participate in MI AIM, including submitting data for MI AIM safety bundles (e.g., hypertension, hemorrhage and/or sepsis).
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Determine your facility’s most appropriate level of care and complete all required steps for to submit The Joint Commission’s MLC Verification Program application.
Birthing hospitals interested in learning more can visit the MHA MLC Toolkit website. Questions can be directed to Dominique Abram (AbramD@michigan.gov) and Meagan Chuey (ChueyM@Michigan.gov).