WASHINGTON, DC, November 16, 2022 — The Association of Women’s Health, Obstetric and Neonatal Nurses (AWHONN) is pleased to announce the selection of the clinical sites participating in the Respectful Maternity Care Research-Based Study. The sites represent geographic and demographic diversity in both patients and staff in maternity care settings. Each site has identified two nurses to work with the AWHONN team to implement the components of the study in their individual settings.

The 12 sites are as follows:

  • Norton Hospital Louisville, KY
  • MultiCare Tacoma General Hospital, WA
  • Women and Infants Hospital, RI
  • Mary Greeley Medical Center, IA
  • The Noreen Stonor Drexel Birthing Center at Newport Hospital, RI
  • Monument Health Rapid City Hospital, SD
  • AdventHealth for Women in Altamonte Springs and Orlando, FL
  • Cone Health Women’s & Children’s Center, NC
  • Henry Ford Health, MI
  • Ascension Seton Williamson, TX
  • Penn Highlands DuBois, PA
  • University of Rochester – Strong Memorial Hospital, NY

The Respectful Maternity Care Research-Based Initiative is supported by Huggies® Healthcare™. Huggies® Healthcare™ has been an invaluable partner with AWHONN in starting this Initiative through sponsorship for the development of the Respectful Maternity Care Evidence Based Guideline (RMC-EBG) and Implementation Toolkit (RMC-IT), as well as creating awareness for the need for respectful care through a panel discussion at the AWHONN National Convention in 2021. The RMC Guideline and Implementation Toolkit launched in March 2022.

“Huggies® is incredibly proud of our partnership with AWHONN and the work underway to bring new resources forward to help save lives,” said Robert Raines, Vice President for Huggies® in North America. “Ensuring that everyone has equitable access to health care before, during, and after pregnancy is essential and we know this initiative will help mothers and babies thrive.”

The goals of the initiative include defining what respectful maternity care looks like, increasing awareness of the need for respectful maternity care, promoting accountability, encouraging reflection for personal and organizational improvement, and improving the birth experience.

AWHONN is excited to collaborate with two AWHONN members who will work with Catherine Hill, MSN, FNP-BC, Senior Director of Nursing Education, Research, and Practice to form the AWHONN Research Team: Kelly McGlothen-Bell, PhD, RN, IBCLC, Assistant Professor, School of Nursing UT Health Science Center at San Antonio and Shawana Burnette, DNP, RNC-OB, NEA-BC, CLNC, CCE, Nurse Manager of High-Risk OB, Atrium Health, North Carolina.

“Among developed nations, the US ranks highest in maternal morbidity and mortality. And data from the CDC show that more than 80% of maternal deaths are preventable, with some of the worst outcomes being in underrepresented populations. It is critical to address equitable healthcare across all maternity care settings and the Respectful Maternal Care Study is a step in that direction,” said McGlothen-Bell.

“Research doesn’t tell us much about the impact attitudes and beliefs of nurses caring for women during intrapartum have. Nurses spend the most time with women during labor and birth and their behaviors could cause unintended harm during patient interactions. We are studying whether educating nurses on respectful care decreases negative experiences and improves overall birth outcomes,” added Burnette.

Collaboration and funding for this ongoing initiative will take place over a three-year period, from 2022-2025. During this time, AWHONN will continue to promote awareness of respectful maternity care, evaluate the implementation of the RMC EBG and RMC-IT, disseminate outcomes, and revise and expand the current products to support this initiative.

 

About AWHONN

The Association of Women’s Health, Obstetric and Neonatal Nurses (AWHONN) is a 501(c)3 nonprofit membership organization. Our mission is to empower and support nurses caring for women, newborns, and their families through research, education, and advocacy.

About Huggies® Brand

For more than 40 years, Huggies has been helping parents provide love, care and reassurance to their babies. From developing innovative, everyday products for babies to partnering with NICU nurses to develop a special diapers and wipes line for the most fragile babies, Huggies is dedicated to helping ensure all babies get the care they need to thrive. Huggies is also proud to be the founding sponsor of the National Diaper Bank Network, a nationwide nonprofit dedicated to eliminating diaper need in America since 2011. Huggies is also the founding sponsor of virtual NICU support groups through the national nonprofit Hand to Hold, which helps families before, during and after NICU stays and infant loss by providing powerful resources for the whole family. For more information on product offerings or our community efforts, please visit Huggies.com.

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For more information, please contact Shannon Doolin at 202-261-2410 or sdoolin@awhonn.org.