ACNM Recognizes 45 Midwifery Practices for Excellent Outcomes

Today, the American College of Nurse-Midwives (ACNM) released the 2011 Best Practices Recognition Roster from the ACNM Benchmarking Project a unique ACNM member benefit that tracks outcomes of midwifery care, allowing members to benchmark their practices against midwifery practices of similar size. A record high of 203 practices submitted valid data for the 2011 reporting cycle-a 48% increase from the previous year.

The aggregate data reported included a total of 83,400 births and the work of nearly 900 CNMs and CMs. Survey results are impressive, showing an average cesarean delivery rate of 13.8% and an average preterm birth rate of 2.3%, both of which are well below the national averages of 32.8% and 11.99% respectively. As maternity care quality improvement enters the national spotlight, these results position midwives as leaders in achieving optimal outcomes for American women and their newborns.

The 2012 ACNM Benchmarking Survey is open now through April 15, 2013. Learn more, view the 2011 Best Practices Recognition Roster, and submit your 2012 practice data at www.midwife.org/benchmarking.