THE LEARNING OUTCOMES:
Understand and apply the 3 delays framework to midwifery practice and team-based care in all settings; Promote interdisciplinary simulation of perinatal emergencies requiring transfer to a higher level of care; Recognize the role of debriefing in quality improvement work; Identify techniques for conducting drills, debriefs, and quality improvement initiatives

THE PROCESS/ACTIVITIES:
Emergencies that present in community settings require fast decision-making, clear communication, and teamwork. Enabling coordination across levels and locations of care can save lives and improve outcomes. Delays in any phase of care can be mitigated by testing the process of transfer from the community to the hospital, and then using structured debriefs to guide quality improvement initiatives. Providers across phases of care, including midwives, nurses, emergency medical personnel, physicians, and doulas, need opportunities to build teamwork, share knowledge and skills, and understand best practices. Interdisciplinary simulations using the Step Up Together model offer a unique opportunity to test the process of transfer and to utilize debriefing to drive quality improvement. Process: Introduction of Primary Maternity Care and Step Up Together model and tools; Run emergency drill scenario using Step Up Together Drill Kit with facilitation by Step Up Together faculty; Participate in a structured debrief with a guided discussion regarding improvements in the transfer of care in participants’ home communities.

AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION:
This 90-minute workshop actively engages participants in a train-the-trainer modality by running a simulation in real time, participating in a facilitated debriefing session, and gaining tangible skills and tools they can bring home to their midwifery practice. The session accommodates up to 50 participants and requires an open room with semi-circle seating. Additional reading Meadows AR, et al. Strategies to promote maternal health equity: the role of perinatal quality collaboratives. Obstet Gynecol. 2023;142(4):821-830. Vedam S, et al. Transfer from planned home birth to hospital: improving interprofessional collaboration. J Midwifery Womens Health. 2014;59(6):624-634.