Twelve more hospitals recently joined WSHA and Ariadne Labs to launch TeamBirth, a best-practices initiative that centers patients in all decisions made throughout labor, delivery and postpartum care.

This fourth wave of adopters brings the total number of participating hospitals in Washington and Oregon to 37, with the ultimate goal of 100% adoption among birthing hospitals in Washington by the end of 2025.

At its core, TeamBirth is about improving communication between the care team and the person giving birth. The program relies on structured “team huddles” at critical decision points in the birthing process, like admission, when medical conditions change or when key care decisions arise. These huddles are anchored by a patient-facing whiteboard in every room to make care plans visible and collaborative.

This approach ensures everyone is informed and aligned with the care team. Unity and communication between doulas, spouses, and other non-clinical caregivers encourages shared decision-making that reflects the patient’s preferences and needs.

Developed by Ariadne Labs, a joint center for health systems innovation at Brigham and Women’s Hospital and the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, TeamBirth has already demonstrated success in enhancing patient experience in earlier implementation cohorts. The Washington rollout, supported by Ballmer Group, reflects the state’s commitment to patient-centered care and quality improvement.

“All women and birthing people deserve to have a safe and dignified experience during and after their delivery,” said Dr. Amber Weiseth, director of Ariadne Labs’ Delivery Decisions Initiative. “Having lived in Washington for most of my life, I am so excited that TeamBirth will continue to grow here.”

Hospitals participating in the fourth cohort include:

  • Island Health
  • Jefferson Healthcare
  • Kittitas Valley Healthcare
  • Madigan Army Medical Center
  • MultiCare Auburn Medical Center
  • MultiCare Good Samaritan Hospital
  • MultiCare Yakima Memorial Hospital
  • Prosser Memorial Health
  • Skagit Valley Hospital
  • UW Medical Center — Northwest
  • Virginia Mason Franciscan Health St. Elizabeth Hospital

Giving birth is an incredible moment in life, and with more hospitals coming on board and a strong foundation already in place, TeamBirth is poised to reshape how birth is experienced in Washington.

Sincerely,

Jenica Sandall
Director, Safety and Quality, Safe Deliveries
Jenicas@wsha.org