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Spark

At CPCQC, we know that the transition from hospital to home is one of the most critical—and vulnerable—times for new parents and babies. In Colorado, a majority of maternal deaths occur during the period between hospital discharge and 1 year postpartum. CPCQC’s SPARK (Supporting Postpartum Access, Recovery, and Knowledge) initiative is a statewide effort to help hospitals strengthen their postpartum care models and create safer, more supportive transitions for families.
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This initiative is about more than just discharge instructions and follow-up appointments. It’s about making sure that every birthing person and newborn has access to the right care, at the right time, and with the right support—no matter their zip code, insurance status, or risk factors.

And it’s about bringing our broader vision to life.

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Objective One

Helping Hospitals Succeed Under Senate Bill 24-175

With SB 24-175 requiring all Colorado birth hospitals to participate in at least one CPCQC quality improvement (QI) initiative, the SPARK initiative provides a powerful opportunity for hospitals to meet this requirement in a way that directly impacts patient outcomes.

By participating, hospitals will receive:

  • Evidence-based best practices for postpartum care transitions.
  • Tools for risk stratification, ensuring high-risk patients receive enhanced follow-up.
  • Peer learning opportunities so that hospitals can share challenges and successes.
  • Support to meet additional hospital quality program requirements such as the HQIP Postpartum Discharge Transitions measure.

This isn’t just about compliance—it’s about transforming the standard of postpartum care in Colorado.

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Objective Two

Promoting a Dyadic Approach to Care

A well-structured postpartum transition plan isn’t just about the birthing person but the whole family. When we improve the continuity of care for new parents, babies benefit too.

This initiative will emphasize:

  • Keeping parent and baby connected to care together, ensuring seamless integration of maternal and pediatric health services.
  • Proactive postpartum follow-up plans, addressing concerns before they escalate into emergencies.
  • A focus on early bonding, reinforcing practices that promote breastfeeding success, safe sleep, and parental well-being.

By centering dyadic care, we are creating a model that acknowledges the deeply intertwined health outcomes of parent and baby.

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Objective Three

Elevating the Role of Maternal Mental Health in QI

Perinatal mental health conditions cannot be an afterthought. We know that 1 in 7 new mothers experiences postpartum depression, yet many never receive treatment. Either mental health conditions or substance use was determined to have contributed to half of all pregnancy-related deaths in Colorado.

In the chaos of newborn care, mental health screening and resources are too often overlooked—or worse, dismissed.

That’s why this initiative will:

  • Ensure every postpartum discharge plan includes mental health screening and follow-up referrals.
  • Train providers to recognize perinatal mental health conditions in OB, primary care, and emergency department settings.
  • Strengthen hospital-community partnerships, so that families have access to mental health support long after they leave the hospital.
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