BIRTH Equity Maryland: Breaking Inequality Reimagining Transformative Healthcare – MPSC

Maryland Patient Safety Center

B.I.R.T.H. Equity Maryland: Breaking Inequality Reimagining Transformative Healthcare

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Did you know?

Pregnancy-related problems are the fifth most common reason for visits to the ED for women aged 15 – 65 years old
Postpartum hospital encounters in the first 42 days after birth are estimated to complicate 5 to 12% of births
The most common complaints were fever, abdominal pain, headache, vaginal bleeding, wound concerns, and high blood pressure.
53% of pregnancy related deaths occur between 7 days and one year postpartum.
According to the CDC, 80% of pregnancy related deaths are preventable (September, 2022)
Black women are two times more likely than White women to have severe complications of pregnancy and three to four times more likely to die from pregnancy related complications

Maryland is committed to reducing the rate of severe maternal morbidity across the state by nearly 20% by 2026. Meeting that ambitious goal depends on changing the way health care providers hear and engage with post-partum patients, especially Black mothers who are disproportionately impacted compared to their non-Black counterparts. These patients have often been seen in a primary care office, clinic, emergency department, or other community health setting where their early symptoms are underappreciated or dismissed.

With the leadership and support of an advisory group comprised of local experts in the fields of maternal health, emergency medicine, family practice, racial bias and health care inequities, the Maryland Patient Safety Center and the Maryland Hospital Association have partnered to create educational tools for non-obstetric providers to address the substantial disparity in maternal morbidity rate for Black birthing people in Maryland. This effort to help providers and patients recognize early warning signs and identify and mitigate their biases will amplify the implicit bias training and expansion of perinatal resources throughout the state

Endorsed by:

B.I.R.T.H. Equity Maryland Partner Portal

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Introduction

Executing the Mission

If you or your organization would like more information on participating in B.I.R.T.H. Equity Maryland, please connect:

As a component of B.I.R.T.H. Equity Maryland, the Maryland Patient Safety Center has built a library of perinatal patient education. Here you will find videos, handouts, and quick references on urgent maternal warnings, self-advocacy in maternal health and follow up after obstetric complications.