Nurse-Midwifery practice lauded
Vanderbilt University School of Nursing's Nurse-Midwifery practice is among the best large practice group in the country, according to the American College of Nurse-Midwives (ACNM).
Specifically, VUSN's Nurse-Midwifery practice was recognized as the best practice for the highest rate of first trimester entry into care among high-volume certified nurse midwifery practices (500 or more births per year), with 74 percent of clients entering into prenatal care within the first trimester.“The VUSN nurse midwife practice is very deserving of this recognition,” said Bonnie Pilon, D.S.N., R.N., senior associate dean for Faculty Practice at VUSN.
“Our nurse midwives make a difference in traditionally underserved communities as well as among private patients throughout Middle Tennessee. It is gratifying to know that our approach may help others across the nation improve their own health care delivery services.”
The nurse midwives see patients at two community sites — one at the Vine Hill Community Clinic and the other at West End Women's Health Center. Last fiscal year, the certified nurse midwifery practice delivered 799 of the 2,900 babies born at Vanderbilt University Medical Center.
“We made some great decisions focused on increasing access to care, and they have paid off in the long run,” said Tonia Moore-Davis, C.N.M., clinical practice manager for the Nurse-Midwifery practice. “Dividing the practice into two locations, for instance, allowed new prenatal patients to be seen by a provider within 14 days rather than four weeks, a time difference that can be crucial in testing and diagnosing potential problems.”
The group also reached out to different communities in Nashville, such as the Somali Community Center, Shade Tree Clinic and various Hispanic groups to ensure open lines for referring patients and educational outreach to the pre-conceptual populations to underscore the importance of early prenatal care.
The ACNM's annual Benchmarking Program is designed to improve and maintain the quality of midwifery care by promoting member awareness and to compare their practices against other midwifery practices across the country.