About Perinatal Regionalization

Mission: Improve birth outcomes and decrease infant mortality.

The perinatal regionalization program was established to provide for the diagnosis and treatment of certain life-threatening conditions of pregnant women and newborn infants. The five regional perinatal centers across the state have made this specialized care available by providing a statewide mechanism to health care providers for consultation and referral of high risk patients; transport of these patients, if necessary; personnel skilled in high risk perinatal care; post-graduate education for physicians, nurses, and other medical personnel; and site visits to local hospitals.

The regionalization system in Tennessee has been in place since the early 1970s and serves our state by providing the necessary statewide infrastructure for high risk perinatal care. Established as a result of State statute, the regionalization system is addressing the needs of the State’s pregnant women and infants. The regionalization system is a key component in the State’s capacity to improve birth outcomes, especially infant mortality.

The Perinatal Advisory Committee is composed of 21 members including Center directors, experts in perinatal medicine, hospital administrators, nurses and physicians, and provides advice and direction to the Department of Health.