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Subcommittee reviews hospital survey; 13 of 23 birthing hospitals responded
Summary
The Department of Public Health presented a rapid synopsis of a hospital survey finding that 13 of 23 birthing hospitals responded and that most hospitals describe doulas as part of the care team, though practices and onboarding vary widely.
The Maternal Health Subcommittee met to review a Department of Public Health summary of a hospital survey on doula access. DPH presented that 13 of the state’s 23 birthing hospitals returned responses and that the most consistent theme was that many hospitals treat doulas as part of the birthing care team rather than as visitors. "Of the 23 birthing hospitals, 13 of them is who responded here," Dalian said while previewing the summary.
DPH staff told the group the survey responses showed wide variation in implementation and communication. Some hospitals formally accommodate patient-arranged doulas with flexible visiting allowances, while others continue to place doulas under visitor guidelines. Agency staff said they had attached a list of hospitals and which corporate systems (for example, Hartford HealthCare or Yale New Haven affiliates) operate particular birthing sites to help the subcommittee compare policies systemwide and hospital-by-hospital.
