HJAR Jan/Feb 2024

HEALTHCARE JOURNAL OF ARKANSAS I  JAN / FEB 2024 11 Secretary Mallory ADH’s last strategic plan was completed in 2020 to go through 2024. ADH is currently working on a new strategic plan to begin early next year. As required by our accreditation organization, all ADH employees must be surveyed for their views on health outcomes that should be part of ADH’s strategic plan. This survey was done in late November, so watch for more to come in the new year. Editor Arkansas has the second highest rate of infant mortality in the U.S. What has your department learned about the causes, and how do you hope to address them? Secretary Mallory Thank you for asking about infant mortality. According to findings in the 2022 report by the Arkansas Maternal and Perinatal Outcomes Quality Review Committee (AMPOQRC), our state had 265 infant deaths in 2019 with 156 occurring during the first 27 days of life. The top causes of death were congenital malformations, including deformations and chromosomal abnormalities, disorders related to short gestations and low birth weight, and newborns affected by maternal complications. Recommendations by the AMPOQRC included aligning and partnering with other state and local efforts, adopting a facility verification plan for perinatal levels of care, and conducting verification visits for facilities level III and above. Of course, maternal health must also be addressed to improve infant mortality. The Arkansas Maternal Mortality Committee also has a report with recommendations specific to improving maternal mortality. Both reports, with more recent data, should be published by early 2024. Editor Arkansas has rural health challenges. How can we better address these challenges? Secretary Mallory Access is an issue for many Arkansans in rural areas. We have to figure out how to do things differently than we have done in the past. Expanding telehealth is what first comes to mind, but the infrastructure must be in place. We need to have individuals who need healthcare to have the equipment, knowledge, and willingness to participate. We also have to figure out a way to get healthcare providers to practice in our rural communities. I have confidence that some of the ideas currently being discussed and implemented by different groups will make a difference in access to care. Editor From a healthcare perspective, how is Arkansas unique? Secretary Mallory Arkansas is small, and because we are small, there is the ability to work together very quickly. A lot of us in healthcare know each other or know somebody who knows somebody who has the knowledge and ability to help provide what is needed. Because they are our colleagues, friends, and neighbors, there is a willingness to communicate and partner to help whenever and however needed to ensure the health of our communities and people. I can’t express enough gratitude for so many who were there during the pandemic when I reached out trying to set up a last-minute meeting, to request almost immediate information, or to solicit expertise, thoughts, and ideas on decisions that needed to be made. Editor If you were given a magic wand and could wave it at the healthcare system, what changes would you make? Secretary Mallory I would make local healthcare available in all areas of the state, which would include primary care, maternity care, urgent and emergent care, mental healthcare, substance abuse resources, and emergencymedical transport services. Oh, if only I had a magic wand! Editor How would you describe your management style?