TeamBirth

Stormont Vail Health is Proud to Bring TeamBirth to Topeka

TeamBirth supports open communication among patients, their support people, and clinicians during childbirth – because every person deserves a voice in their care when having a baby. This model allows the Stormont Vail Mother & Baby team to:

  • Empower shared-decision making
  • Improve outcomes for mothers and newborns
  • Give patients the birthing experience they want
  • Help patients play an active part in their journey
  • Ensure a more dignified, respectful care experience

What is TeamBirth?

TeamBirth is an industry-standard process to improve communication, teamwork, and shared decision-making throughout the birthing process, giving every person a chance at a safe, dignified childbirth experience.

The TeamBirth model was developed and rigorously tested by Ariadne Labs as part of its Delivery Decisions Initiative, a research and social impact program focused on transforming childbirth care worldwide.

TeamBirth Huddles

From the moment we admit a patient for labor and delivery until they leave the hospital, they'll participate in shared huddles with their care team.

During these huddles, patients and their teams discuss progress, adjust care plans, and plan upcoming check-ins. Huddles give everyone on the team a chance to share their experiences.

During each huddle, the team takes notes on a Shared Planning Tool displayed on the wall. The board lists all patient team members, including clinical and support people, and offers a visual reminder of care plans and preferences for mother and baby.

Health Library

Why is TeamBirth Important?

  • 90% of preventable injuries during childbirth occur due to communication failures between patients and providers or among multiple providers.

  • People giving birth today are two times more likely to die in childbirth than their mothers, with a three to four times higher risk for Black or Native American mothers.

  • 87% of Black patients who had a TeamBirth huddle reported high autonomy, a 30+ percentage point increase from those without a huddle.

  • TeamBirth ensures pregnant mothers and their care team have shared input and understanding in the decision-making process during labor and delivery.

  • Patients who gave birth at a TeamBirth facility report better care, trust in providers, and satisfaction.

Who is Using TeamBirth & Where is the Research Behind It?

TeamBirth is growing nationally and worldwide. By the end of 2023, TeamBirth was introduced into over 130 U.S. hospitals and impacted approximately 500,000 lives.

  • 130+ Hospitals/Birth Centers

  • 15 States

  • 2 Implementing Statewide (Washington and Oklahoma)

  • 2 Countries (U.S. and Sweden)

About Ariadne Labs

Ariadne labs is a joint center for health systems innovation at Brigham and Women's Hospital and the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. With a mission to save lives and reduce suffering, our vision is that health systems equitably deliver the best possible care for every patient, everywhere, every time. We use human-centered design, health systems implementation science, public health expertise, and frontline clinical care experience to design, test and spread scalable systems-level solutions to some of health care's biggest problems. From developing checklists and conversation guides to fostering international collaborations and establishing global standards of measurement, our work has been accessed in more than 165 countries, touching hundreds of millions of lives.

Meet the Team

Tessa Visser, M.D.

Specialty: Pediatric General
Provider Bio

Sara Wilhelm, PA-C

Specialty: Pediatric General
Provider Bio

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