Resources

The following list of resources has been aggregated for those interested in learning more about birth equity. As a part of CMQCC’s Birth Equity Collaborative, participating hospitals have identified the framework and resources below as useful in beginning conversations about birth equity on their units. We at CMQCC are not experts in birth equity, and would like to highlight and amplify the work of the Black-led organizations and leaders who created these resources. Whenever possible, we have hyperlinked to the original source. 

A full list of our birth equity resources are available in our Resource Library.

Readiness: 

  • Staff/provider education beyond Implicit and Explicit Bias with a goal of cultural humility
     
  • Review all patient forms and education materials with community/patient advisors
     
  • Share definitions of key equity terms to create a common language
     
  • Perform a baseline equity needs assessment for the unit/organization

 

Recognition/Prevention:

  • Actively solicit and share a social history to appropriately prioritize emotional, psychological, medical interventions
     
  • Create a shared understanding: What are your goals? What is important to you for labor and birth? What are your concerns regarding your birth experience
     
  • Explicitly support Informed/Shared Decision Making
     
  • Actively engage support persons and/or Doula as part of the team
     
  • Value personal boundaries: Respect modesty at all times and ask permission before touching all patients
     
  • Practice “Active Listening”—ensure that the patient/family is heard and verify all care instructions are understood (e.g. CDC “Hear Her” campaign)
     
  • Post a list of these principles of care and share with birthing persons

 

Response:

  • Train staff in the art of “Active Upstanding” to respond to microaggressions
     
  • Collect and share brief stories (1-2 minutes) about microaggression observations on the unit
     
  • Identify “champions” of the same race/ethnicity who can hear and help address concerns 

 

Reporting/System Learning:

  • Stratify quality measures by race and ethnicity with interpretation guidance
     
  • Collect Patient Reported Experience Surveys that reflect equitable and respectful care
     
  • Share data and patient feedback with staff in huddles and department meetings

 

  • Maternal Data Center Birth Equity Dashboard/PDF reports
     
  • Patient Reported Experience Measure Response Reports