MaryCatherine Arbour1, Mary Mackrain2, Elaine Fitzgerald2, Sidney Atwood3. 1. Division of Global Health Equity (MC Arbour and S Atwood), Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Mass. Electronic address: marbour@bwh.harvard.edu. 2. Education Development Center, Inc (M Mackrain and E Fitzgerald), Waltham, Mass. 3. Division of Global Health Equity (MC Arbour and S Atwood), Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Mass.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To improve breastfeeding through home visiting. METHODS: From 2013 to 2016, the Home Visiting Collaborative Improvement and Innovation Network (HV CoIIN) enrolled 15 home visiting agencies serving 1000 families in 7 states. Using the Breakthrough Series Collaborative model, HV CoIIN faculty taught a theory of change and continuous quality improvement (CQI) skills, as well as facilitating opportunities for networked learning. RESULTS: HV CoIIN improved home visitors' breastfeeding competencies and use of data to inform practice. Breastfeeding initiation increased from 47% to 61%. Exclusive breastfeeding of 3-month-old babies increased from 10% to 13.5%, and for babies 6 months old it increased from 5% to 8%. CONCLUSIONS: Home visiting programs can improve breastfeeding among participants with very low baseline breastfeeding rates. Continuous quality improvement and the Breakthrough Series Collaborative model can be used to improve home visiting services in ways that advance national public health priorities.
OBJECTIVE: To improve breastfeeding through home visiting. METHODS: From 2013 to 2016, the Home Visiting Collaborative Improvement and Innovation Network (HV CoIIN) enrolled 15 home visiting agencies serving 1000 families in 7 states. Using the Breakthrough Series Collaborative model, HV CoIIN faculty taught a theory of change and continuous quality improvement (CQI) skills, as well as facilitating opportunities for networked learning. RESULTS: HV CoIIN improved home visitors' breastfeeding competencies and use of data to inform practice. Breastfeeding initiation increased from 47% to 61%. Exclusive breastfeeding of 3-month-old babies increased from 10% to 13.5%, and for babies 6 months old it increased from 5% to 8%. CONCLUSIONS: Home visiting programs can improve breastfeeding among participants with very low baseline breastfeeding rates. Continuous quality improvement and the Breakthrough Series Collaborative model can be used to improve home visiting services in ways that advance national public health priorities.