Equity in Care Teri G. Fontenot President/CEO

1. Equity in CareTeri G. FontenotPresident/CEO

2. Canada Pacific Ocean Atlantic Ocean Gulf of Mexico

3. Essential Statewide Leader • in Obstetrics, Gynecology,Breast & Neonatal Care New Orleans

4. We believe that: • Patients deserve care, treatment, and services that safeguard their personal dignity and respect their cultural, psychosocial, and spiritual values • Sensitivity to beliefs is not only the patient’s right but also a key factor in safety and quality patient care • By understanding and respecting cultural, psychosocial, and spiritual values, providers can better meet the patient’s care needs

5. Race, Ethnicity and Language Diversity Non-English Speaking Patients

6. Caring for a Culturally Diverse Population • Language assistance • Key patient information brochures and documents • Medical interpreters – phone and in person • Interpreters for hearing impaired • Staff training • Patient rights • Annual training for all staff • Hospital employees with diverse backgrounds share personal stories, beliefs, values • Spanish classes • Reinforcement of importance at departmental/staff meetings, newsletters

7. Admission Assessment • Cultural/spiritual practices that may impact hospital stay • Special diet • Primary language • Special needs/assistance required • Preferred learning method • Highest educational level completed • Barriers to education • Methods to overcome barriers

8. Cultural Beliefs in Pregnancy: Hispanic Direct eye contact avoided with people in authority More traditional nuclear families Tend not to complain of pain—suffer through labor Many believe that prenatal care is not necessary; pregnancy is a natural condition Prefer spontaneous delivery Females assist during labor Most breastfeed

9. Cultural Beliefs in Pregnancy: Vietnamese Health based on harmony and balance within Very modest; avoid eye contact Highly family-oriented May nod head to acknowledge hearing, but may not understand or agree Birth is critical time for hot/cold balance Breastfeeding for one year is traditional; adhere to strict diet

10. Focusing on Population Health Disparities • HIV • Baton Rouge has highest rate in US in new HIV cases among females • African American and Hispanic women are disproportionately affected compared with women of other races/ethnicities • Mother-to-Child HIV Prevention Program • Nurse case management for HIV/AIDS-infected pregnant womenand their babies • Funded through community support and individual gifts • No HIV-positive babies have been born to a mother enrolled in our program

11. Focusing on Population Health Disparities • Breastfeeding • African American women have lower breastfeeding rates than other primary ethnic/race groups (CDC) • Lack of understanding of importance • Lack of support from families and friends • Targeting specific neighborhoods, Woman’s provides education and support in churches, community centers, etc. • Goal for exclusive breastfeeding is 42% Zip codes 70802, 70805, 70807