midwives: American College of Nurse-Midwives

Benchmarking is a method for comparing your care processes to those of the practices in the field that demonstrate the best outcomes. Identifying "best practices" through benchmarking allows all who participate in the process to improve and adapt the care they provide in order to obtain superior outcomes: high satisfaction, patient safety, effectiveness and efficiency.

The purpose of the ACNM Benchmarking Project is to provide a midwifery-specific mechanism to improve and maintain the superior quality of midwifery care provided to women and children by promoting member awareness of "best practices." To facilitate this, members are encouraged to participate in benchmarking their practice against other midwifery practices in the country. Click HERE to access the information packet.

Resources

Quality Management Handbook

Developed by the Quality Management Section of the Division of Standards and Practice, this book provides a basic introduction to quality management, as well as detailed information regarding peer review, quality assurance and quality improvement. Designed to address the needs of midwives in clinical practice, the book includes forms and documents that may be reproduced or altered to fit the needs of individual practices. The 2006 edition is currently available.

Journal of Midwifery & Women's Health (JMWH)

A recent article in JMWH details the American College of Nurse-Midwives' benchmarking project and presents benchmarks for obstetric practice from the year 2004.

Quickening

"ACNM Starts New Benchmarking Project" - November/December 2005

"Get Involved in Benchmarking" - Winter 2007

For more information, please contact Monica Greenfield, Program Coordinator in the Department of Professional Services, via email, or at (240) 485-1844.