Presentation
Improving Maternal Health Outcomes Through Human Factors Engineering
DescriptionThe United States is facing a serious maternal health crisis, with rising rates of complications and deaths during pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum, especially among women of color. Despite efforts to improve care, many systems remain unsafe, inefficient, and inequitable. Maternal care often takes place in high-pressure environments where teams must make quick decisions, communicate clearly, and manage complex information. Yet challenges like poor care coordination, limited support after birth, data gaps, staff burnout, and structural racism continue to put birthing people at risk.
This panel brings together experts from healthcare, engineering, and public health who are using human factors and systems thinking to redesign how maternal care is delivered. They will explore how the organization of care, such as hospital workflows, technology, and team communication, can either support or harm patients and providers. The panel will share real-world examples of how better system design can lead to safer, more respectful, and more effective care. The goal is to spark a conversation about how engineers, healthcare workers, and communities can work together to build maternal care systems that truly meet the needs of all families.
This panel brings together experts from healthcare, engineering, and public health who are using human factors and systems thinking to redesign how maternal care is delivered. They will explore how the organization of care, such as hospital workflows, technology, and team communication, can either support or harm patients and providers. The panel will share real-world examples of how better system design can lead to safer, more respectful, and more effective care. The goal is to spark a conversation about how engineers, healthcare workers, and communities can work together to build maternal care systems that truly meet the needs of all families.
Moderators
Event Type
Discussion Panel
TimeFriday, October 17th9:30am - 11am CDT
LocationGrand Hall K
Health Care
System Development