Implementing Holistic Postpartum Care Utilizing ACOG's Postpartum Toolkit
clinical breakout
DATE: Saturday, November 9th
TIME: 3:30 pm - 4:30 pm
FACULTY: Grace Dible, DNP, CNM
Maternal mortality rates in the U.S. have risen, with most deaths occurring postpartum after the traditional 6-week period, highlighting the need for better follow-up care. A chart audit at a Midwest-based free-standing birth center revealed that none of the 50 patients had a documented postpartum care plan.
This quality improvement project aimed to enhance effective holistic postpartum care to 80% within eight weeks using postpartum toolkits. Certified nurse-midwives employed a rapid Plan-Do-Study-Act (PDSA) model for eight weeks, making biweekly changes based on data analysis.
The project implemented two interventions: a holistic postpartum screening tool and a practical care checklist. As a result, postpartum needs screening reached 100% (N = 260), and effective holistic postpartum care improved from 14% to 89%. Staff satisfaction also increased. The project demonstrated low cost, individualized care, and thorough documentation, making it replicable for other birth centers.
Faculty
Grace Dible, DNP, CNM
Grace is a Certified Nurse-Midwife in Indianapolis, IN. She currently works as a faculty member at Indiana University, aiming to improve maternal healthcare in the state through clinical practice, education, and scholarship.
Grace graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Biology in 2011, a Bachelor’s degree in nursing in 2015, a master’s of nursing in midwifery in 2020, and her Doctor of Nursing practice in 2024. She is currently on the nominating committee of the Indiana ACNM and the planning committee for the first-ever statewide CNM/CPM retreat.
When she isn’t working, Grace loves to spend time with her family, including her husband and two sons.
