Mercer Times

Capital Health has announced the introduction of the TeamBirth program, an initiative designed to improve communication and decision-making in maternity care. This announcement was made at Capital Health’s biannual community baby shower event in Trenton.

TeamBirth is a communication model intended to enhance the childbirth experience by fostering dialogue among patients, their support persons, and healthcare teams. The program is implemented through regular huddles that allow for discussions on the patient's condition, questions, concerns, and care plans. This initiative is a collaborative effort between Capital Health Medical Center – Hopewell, the New Jersey Health Care Quality Institute, and Ariadne Labs.

Alexandra Nelson, director of the Maternal and Infant Service Line at Capital Health, stated that the aim of the program is to "encourage shared decision-making between patients and their health care team." She emphasized the importance of establishing consistent communication channels that allow patients to voice their preferences.

The program is designed to include patients in planning and managing their care, from the time of admission until discharge. Previous implementations of TeamBirth have reportedly led to higher satisfaction levels among both patients and clinicians, as well as progress in addressing health disparities.

The announcement was made at Capital Health’s Community Baby Shower, a free event for pregnant women and new mothers, where various services were offered including health screenings, CPR training, and information tables. The event also featured meals provided through cooperation with local community organizations.