Fetal Infant Mortality Review

“Infant mortality is the most sensitive index we possess of social welfare” (Julia Lathrop, Children’s Bureau, 1913).

Oklahoma’s infant mortality rate was 25% higher than the national average. (OK=7.0 vs. US=5.6 deaths per 1000 live births based on 2019 data)

The Fetal and infant Mortality Review (FIMR) Project is a community based, action-oriented, systematic process that continually assesses the causes of fetal and infant mortality and works to improve infant outcomes, as well as, provide resources for women, infants and families. It brings together a multi-disciplinary team of community members to examine the factors that influence infant mortality. FIMR allows each community to become an expert in planning interventions and policies to improve community resources designed specifically to meet the needs of the local population.

The FIMR process begins when a fetal or infant death has occurred. The FIMR staff abstracts data from birth and death certificates, hospital records, physician’s offices, and medical examiner’s reports, as well as, social service agencies . A unique feature of FIMR is the maternal or family interview. The interview provides the family an opportunity to share their experiences and have their voice heard in the community. The information gathered from medical records and family interviews is de-identified and summarized to protect the confidentiality of family members, as well as, service providers before being presented to the Case Review Team.

The Case Review Team (CRT) identifies trends in services, barriers to care, system breakdowns and other factors associated with the death and makes recommendations for community change.

The Community Action Team (CAT) prioritizes the recommendations from the CRT, then designs and implements interventions to improve service systems and community resources.

Mailing Address:
Oklahoma State Department of Health
Perinatal and Reproductive Health Divison
123 Robert S. Kerr Ave., Suite 1702
Oklahoma City, OK 73102-6406

Physical Address:
Oklahoma State Department of Health
123 Robert S. Kerr Ave.
Oklahoma City, OK

Phone: (405) 426-8111

Tulsa Fetal and Infant Mortality Review Project
(918) 595-4418

Fetal and Infant Mortality Review of Central Oklahoma
(405) 425-4406