1. Equity in Care Teri G. Fontenot President/CEO

2. Canada
Gulf of Mexico
Pacific
Ocean
Atlantic

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. Non-English Speaking Patients
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 women and 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