The Canadian Perinatal Network (CPN)

OVERVIEW

The Canadian Perinatal Network (CPN) is made up of Canadian researchers who collaborate on research issues relating to perinatal care. The network commenced in September 2005, and includes members from 23 tertiary perinatal units.

The inaugural project of CPN was BILBO (Birth before 29 weeks: Interventions Leading to Better Outcomes for mothers and babies). BILBO built a standardized national database of pregnancies at high risk of very preterm birth at 22 to 28+6 weeks gestation. This database linked with the well-established national CNN (Canadian Neonatal Network), CAPSNet (Canadian Perinatal Surgery Network) and CNFUN (Canadian Neonatal Follow-Up Network). These networks provide a unique opportunity for researchers to participate in collaborative projects on a national scale.

CPN enables health care professionals, researchers, and administrators to participate actively in clinical, epidemiologic, health services, health policy, and informatics research aimed at improving the effectiveness and efficiency of perinatal care.

The current CPN project is MAG-CP (Magnesium Sulphate for Fetal Neuroprotection of the Preterm Infant to prevent Cerebral Palsy).

PRIMARY GOALS OF THE CPN

  • Joint examination of the whole spectrum of risks and their interactions, from the antenatal and obstetric to the neonatal periods, on maternal and perinatal outcomes
  • Iterative hypothesis testing and acquisition of new knowledge about obstetric practices associated with good or poor maternal and perinatal outcomes, which will inform the care of women and babies in Canada
  • Longitudinal monitoring of obstetric practices and resource use known to be associated with a decrease in adverse events, which will inform knowledge transfer activities
  • Longitudinal monitoring of outcomes and resource use, which will be important for auditing quality of care and providing information that is critical to planning of care and resource allocation

PUBLICATIONS

FUNDER

  • Canadian Institutes of Health Research (proof of principle grant)
  • Ontario inistry of Health and Long-term Care

PARTNERS

  • BC Women’s Hospital, Vancouver, BC
  • Victoria General Hospital, Victoria, BC
  • Foothills Medical Centre, Calgary, AB
  • Royal Alexandra Hospital, Edmonton, AB
  • Royal University Hospital, Saskatoon, SK
  • Regina General Hospital, Regina SK
  • Kingston General Hospital, Kingston, ON
  • McMaster University Medical Centre, Hamilton, ON
  • London Health Sciences Centre, London, ON
  • Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto, ON
  • The Ottawa Hospital, Ottawa, ON
  • Centre Hôspitalier Universitaire de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, QC
  • Centre Hôspitalier de L’Université Laval, Québec City, QC
  • IWK Health Centre, Halifax, NS
  • Women’s Health Clinic (Eastern Health), St. John’s, NL
  • Centre Hôspitalier Universitaire Sainte-Justine, Montréal, QC