BCHC Supports Statewide Effort to Strengthen Postpartum Care
By: Aprill Murphy
Albion, NE (July 9, 2025) –Beginning July 1, Boone County Health Center (BCHC) proudly joined hospitals and clinics across Nebraska in launching Postpartum Alert: A Life-Saving Maternal Safety Initiative, a new program led by the Nebraska Perinatal Quality Improvement Collaborative (NPQIC). The initiative aims to improve postpartum care and outcomes for mothers during the critical six weeks following delivery.
As part of this statewide effort, BCHC will introduce a simple, effective tool to help keep postpartum patients safe: a teal wristband. These wristbands will be worn by new mothers for six weeks after childbirth to alert healthcare providers of their recent delivery, ensuring timely care and quicker recognition of any postpartum complications.
“This initiative is about enhancing awareness and supporting mothers in a vulnerable time,” said Angie Schalk, Education Coordinator at Boone County Health Center. “The teal wristbands are a visual reminder for all medical staff that helps prioritize care for postpartum patients—no matter where or why they’re being seen.”
The Postpartum Alert initiative is grounded in the recognition that, while childbirth is a joyful experience, the weeks that follow can carry serious health risks. Nationally, the U.S. sees higher maternal mortality rates than many other developed nations, and Nebraska ranks 17th in the country. Many complications—such as high blood pressure, blood clots, infection, or mental health challenges—arise after mothers leave the hospital.
By using a wristband to clearly communicate postpartum status, the program helps providers act quickly when patients show signs of distress. Emergency symptoms such as chest pain, shortness of breath, heavy bleeding, or thoughts of self-harm should prompt immediate medical attention. Additional signs like persistent headaches, swelling, fever, or dizziness should be discussed with a healthcare provider without delay.
BCHC is committed to promoting early detection and timely treatment by encouraging new mothers to wear the wristband, attend all follow-up appointments, take medications as prescribed, and seek help when something feels wrong.
NPQIC, formed in 2015 and funded by the CDC, is one of 36 perinatal quality collaboratives in the U.S. focused on improving care for mothers and newborns through statewide collaboration and evidence-based practices.
To learn more about Postpartum Alert and how to recognize maternal health warning signs, visit www.npqic.org.