Saint Peter’s University Hospital launches ‘TeamBirth’

New Brunswick – On Sept. 19, Saint Peter’s University Hospital, in conjunction with members of the New Jersey Department of Health and Human Services, celebrated the launch of TeamBirth, an evidence-based, national model for better provider and patient communication during the birthing experience. The goal is to empower all members of the care team, including the patient, to play an active role in shared decision-making as it has been shown to significantly improve safety, quality of care, and overall birthing outcomes.

TeamBirth is a structured method to foster better communication between laboring mothers and the clinical team caring for them. The N.J. Quality Institute, in partnership with Ariadne Labs, is leading the initiative in the state. The program was developed by Ariadne Labs, which is a joint center for health systems innovation at Brigham and Women’s Hospital and the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health in Boston.

TeamBirth was designed around best practices in communication, teamwork, and clinical care. The initiative ensures that the individuals giving birth and the clinicians who are caring for them have shared input and understanding into decisions made during labor and delivery. The New Jersey Department of Health is a TeamBirth N.J. partner and is providing funding, ensuring that lessons learned will be shared statewide.

TeamBirth has now been implemented in more than 60 hospitals around the country, collectively involving more than 1,500 clinicians and more than 67,000 mothers and babies. Many other practices and procedures implemented at Saint Peter’s have become standard protocol in women’s maternal health and neonatal care statewide.