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State Spotlight - Alaska
Last updated: March 2011
Michael Valiquette
Maternal, Infant Mortality Review/Child Death Review Manager
State of Alaska HSS/DPH/WCFH/MCH Epi
3601 "C" Street, Ste. 358
Anchorage, AK 94503
Phone: 907-269-3401
Fax: 907-269-3493
Email: michael.valiquette@alaska.gov
Website: http://www.epi.hss.state.ak.us/mchepi/MIMR/default.stm
Tools
Reports
Mortality Statistics
Program Description
Administration
Alaska has two review programs: The Maternal-Infant, Child
Death Review (MIMR-CDR) and the Child Fatality Review Team (CFRT).
MIMR-CDR has been in place since 1991. Initially, the program
only reviewed maternal, infant and fetal deaths. In 2005, the
age criteria was expanded to include children up to age 18.
This program is fully funded through the MCH Block Grant with 1.5
FTE and is housed in the Section of Women's, Children's, and Family Health.
CFRT was established by statute
(section 12.65.120 to .140) in 1998. There is no budget for this program
and it is housed in the Medical Examiner's Office.
Teams
MIMR-CDR committee members are on a voluntary basis and are approved by the Commissioner and Medical Board. Committee membership includes medical providers such as pediatricians, neonatologists, obstetricians, and nurses, as well as social workers, epidemiologists, tribal representatives, and children's justice advocates.
CFRT committee members are specified in Alaska statute.
This CFRT state level team is mandatory. The chairperson of the state team is the state medical examiner.
The state team conducts retrospective/periodic reviews. Local teams are permitted.
Reviews
The MIMR/CDR program reviews maternal, fetal, infant and child deaths
up to age 15. All deaths occurring in the state of Alaska that meet this
age criteria are reviewed. Maternal deaths are reviewed about every 10 years. All reviews are conducted
retrospectively, with the committee meeting on a twice monthly basis.
The CFRT program reviews all prosecutable deaths, ages 0 to 18,
focusing on legal issues surrounding the death and only reviewing
those deaths that go through the Medical Examiner's Office.
All reviews are required to be completed within 48 hours from the
time of death.
Purpose
The final products of MIMR-CDR are reports with public health
recommendations.
The final product of CFRT is a decision on legal action and decision on what to put on the death certificate.
Data
MIMR-CDR utilizes standardized data reporting forms, which are
completed for all reviews. All information is then entered and
stored in databases which are accessed for analysis.
Paper forms are completed on all cases reviewed by CFRT.
Annual Report
Reports are published periodically when new data are available from the MIMR-CDR. No CFRT report has been published. Annual reports alternate between child death and infant deaths.
Prevention Initiatives
Unknown.
Protocols
Both MIMR-CDR and CFRT have meeting and confidentiality protocols in place.
Training
MIMR-CDR holds an annual conference where information and findings
are disseminated for Committee Members and other interested
parties. A guest speaker provides training on various topics
relating to deaths of persons ages 0 to 18.
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