
Healthcare Tech Outlook
Jun 18, 2024
FemBridge, a women-owned healthcare solutions
company, focused on women's health founded by Traci
Quillen and Maggie Huether, aims to transform women’s
healthcare by bridging the significant long-standing gaps in
the sector.
An area of significant focus for the organization
is improving maternal access to health care and social support.
With rich backgrounds in healthcare technology and consulting,
Quillen and Huether have set their sights on dismantling the barriers
to accessible and equitable healthcare solutions, particularly for
underserved communities. The driving force behind FemBridge’s
inception to services. Motivated by these firsthand observations,
Quillen and Huether set out on a mission to create a more inclusive
and comprehensive approach to maternal healthcare.
FemBridge offers a holistic care model that supports women throughout
their maternal journey by developing innovative programs that
encompass social drivers of health assessments, one-on-one clinical
coaching, virtual doula services, and mental health assessments,
therapy, and treatment.
Providing equitable access to maternal care remains formidable, especially for rural and economically disadvantaged populations. The U.S. is witnessing a disturbing trend with the increasing closures of birthing units and the exodus of obstetric
providers, exacerbating the strain on the healthcare system, and
reducing access to vital care services.
In response to these challenges, FemBridge strategically
partners with healthcare providers, payers, and brokers to create
programs and solutions that transcend the traditional boundaries
of healthcare delivery. By extending the reach of maternal care
to those in need, they address the immediate needs of these
communities and lays the groundwork for a more resilient and
inclusive healthcare system.
Quillen emphasizes, “We steer away from standardized
approaches, as we know that each pregnancy is unique.”
FemBridge partners with healthcare providers and offers them an
all-encompassing solution that addresses social as well as physical
and mental health areas of patient care. The company customizes
social risk surveys to identify and address specific determinants of
health insecurities, including housing, food, and transportation to
name a few.
Upon identification of an insecurity(s), patients are
immediately connected with pertinent resources through
collaboration with community-based organizations.
FemBridge proactively addresses the digital divide, which
often impacts the most vulnerable groups. By providing access to
essential technology like cell phones, tablets, and internet to those
without access, the company ensures that virtual care—a critical link in the continuum
of maternal healthcare— is within everyone’s reach.
As a National WIC Association Partner,FemBridge can help connect individuals
to their local WIC programs, which offersvaluable resources for mothers and their
infants and children. FemBridge streamlines the healthcare
experience by providing a single app that consolidates all their services, saving
providers and patients the hassle of using multiple platforms. The app is designed with
the user’s individual pregnancy journey in mind, offering educational content that can
be tailored to reflect each provider’s program.
Equipped with a built-in search feature, patients can easily find
solutions to specific inquiries within the app’s extensive library. In
addition, each patient is paired with a dedicated FemBridge nurse
RN, who has completed motivational coaching and respectful
maternal care training.
“We prioritize respectful and inclusive interactions, ensuring
that every member of the FemBridge team, embraces each
patient’s individuality, ethnicity, and cultural background,” adds
Huether. The nurses engage in one-on-one conversations with
patients, ensuring continuity of care throughout their journey.
Virtual meetings are arranged weekly to monthly, based on
directives provided by the patient’s physician and tailored to
accommodate the patient’s specific care plan. By using Bluetooth-
enabled devices, vital signs like blood pressure, weight, and
glucose levels can also be tracked, shared with the patient’s
provider and compliance reviewed during virtual clinical coaching
appointments. During these sessions, FemBridge nurses also
focus on health literacy, around as to pregnancy and postpartum
related conditions, warning signs, symptom s assessments and
screen and flag for perinatal mood disorders thus providing the
highest level of proactive care.
FemBridge supports a healthy
pregnancy, focusing on full-term deliveries and reducing NICU
admissions.
They prioritize mental health screenings throughout
the pregnancy and postpartum journey, conducting regular
assessments to ensure its patients’ well-being. Developing a
trusting relationship with the assigned nurse enables a patient
to discuss their mental health issues. The company’s innovative
technology platform allows them to engage with virtual mental
health providers for prompt assessments, therapy sessions, and
medication management.
Following delivery, FemBridge stays committed to its patients’
well-being by continuing to support patients for up
to 12 months postpartum. The firm FemBridge
also facilitates connection with primary care physicians for those who have not previously used those services. They initiate this process during pregnancy, recognizing
the potential delay in securing primary care appointments. Patients are usually
scheduled for a primary care appointment around 12 weeks after giving birth.
Through their collaboration with healthcare providers, systems, and payers,
FemBridge endeavors to achieve long-term, sustainable change in maternal and
postpartum care nationwide. FemBridge supports payers and reduces healthcare
costs by developing value- based or risk-sharing agreements.
Embracing engagement between payers and healthcare providers fosters a unified approach to improving maternal and postpartum care.
Quillen’s journey as a mother throughout her three challenging,
high-risk pregnancies imbues FemBridge’s approach to maternal
and postpartum care philosophy with a deep-lying personal
touch. This perspective, along with collaboration with seasoned
clinical advisors specializing in women’s health, strengthens the
firm’s commitment to delivering exceptional care standards.
FemBridge is reshaping maternal and women’s healthcare
through groundbreaking solutions. We don't merely provide
answers; we confront challenges head-on, addressing everything
from social determinants of health in a unique and personalized
way to offering virtual support throughout the entire pregnancy
and postpartum journey.
Our mission is clear: to dismantle barriers, uplift women, and save lives. This isn't just about healthcare; it's about driving real transformation. By tackling the toughest
obstacles in maternal and women’s health, including systemic disparities and emotional well-being, we're forging a path toward a future where every woman receives the comprehensive care and support she deserves. With FemBridge, we're not just
revolutionizing maternal healthcare; we're redefining the very
essence of motherhood.