Birth Equity Initiative: Respectful Care Practices Breakfast

Description

Decatur Memorial Hospital Family Birth Center is seeking feedback on the birth experience from families who have welcomed a baby at DMH. Former patients and family members are invited to attend a community breakfast at 9 a.m. on Tuesday, May 28, for a panel discussion on the importance of respectful maternity care.

“Our goal is to collect a wide range of patient and family perspectives,” said Olivia Waterman, nurse manager of the DMH Family Birth Center. “We will use this feedback to make sure we are meeting the needs of all our patients.”

The breakfast event is part of the unit’s Birth Equity Initiative efforts. The Birth Equity Initiative is a statewide campaign led by the Illinois Perinatal Quality Collaborative that aims to address racial disparities in maternal mortality and pregnancy and childbirth complications. All Illinois hospitals with labor and delivery units have the opportunity to participate.

“It’s crucial that we deliver high-quality care to all our patients, regardless of their race, life circumstances or any other factor,” Waterman said. “Getting feedback and input from the people we serve is one way we can make sure we’re doing that.”

The breakfast is funded by the Decatur Memorial Hospital Foundation. To register to attend, call 217-876-3416 or visit https://memorial.health/respectful-care-practices.