Standards in Midwifery Practice

STANDARDS FOR THE PRACTICE OF
MIDWIFERY
STANDARD I
MIDWIFERYPROVIDEDBYQUALIFIEDPRACTITIONERS
The midwife:
 Is certified by the ACNM designated certifying
agent.
 Shows evidence of continuing competency as
required by the ACNM designatedcertifying agent.
 Is in compliance with the legal requirements of the
jurisdiction where the midwifery practice occurs.
STANDARD II
MIDWIFERY CARE OCCURS IN A SAFE ENVIRONMENT WITHIN THE
CONTEXT OF THE FAMILY, COMMUNITY, AND A SYSTEM OF
HEALTH CARE.
The midwife:
 Demonstrates knowledge of and utilizes federal and state
regulations that apply to the
practice environment and infection control.
 Demonstrates a safe mechanism for obtaining medical
consultation, collaboration, and
referral.
 Uses community services as needed.
 Demonstrates knowledge of the medical,
psychosocial, economic, cultural, and family
factors that affect care.
 Demonstrates appropriate techniques for
emergency management including
arrangements for emergency transportation.
 Promotes involvement of support persons in
the practice setting
STANDARD III
MIDWIFERY CARE SUPPORTS INDIVIDUAL RIGHTS AND SELF
DETERMINATION WITHIN BOUNDARIES OF SAFETY
The midwife:
 Practices in accord with the Philosophy and the Code of Ethics of
the American College of Nurse-Midwives.
 Provides clients with a description of the scope of midwifery services
and information regarding the client's rights and responsibilities.
 Provides clients with information regarding, and/or referral to, other
providers and services when requested or when care required is not
within the midwife's scope of practice.
 Provides clients with information regarding health care decisions
and the state of the science regarding these choices to allow for
informed decision-making.
STANDARD IV
MIDWIFERY CARE IS COMPRISED OF KNOWLEDGE,
SKILLS, AND JUDGMENTS THAT FOSTER THE DELIVERY
OF SAFE, SATISFYING, AND CULTURALLY COMPETENT
CARE.
The midwife:
 Collects and assesses client care data, develops and implements an
individualized planof management, and evaluates outcome of care.
 Demonstrates the clinical skills and judgments described in the ACNM
Core Competencies for Basic Midwifery Practice.
 Practices in accord with the ACNM Standards for the Practice of
Midwifery.
Practices in accord with service/practice guidelines that meet the
requirements of the particular institution or practice setting.
STANDARD V
MIDWIFERY CARE IS BASED UPON KNOWLEDGE,
SKILLS, AND JUDGMENTSWHICH ARE REFLECTED IN
WRITTEN PRACTICE GUIDELINES AND ARE USED TO
GUIDE THE SCOPE OF MIDWIFERY CARE AND SERVICES
PROVIDED TO CLIENTS.
The midwife:
 Maintains written documentation of the
parameters of service for independent and
collaborative midwifery management and
transfer of care when needed.
STANDARD VI
MIDWIFERY CARE IS DOCUMENTED IN A FORMAT THAT IS
ACCESSIBLE AND COMPLETE.
The midwife:
 Uses records that facilitate communication of information to
clients, consultants, and institutions.
 Provides prompt and complete documentation of evaluation,
course of management, and outcome of care.
 Promotes a documentation system that provides for
confidentiality and transmissibility of health records.
 Maintains confidentiality in verbal and written
communications.
STANDARD VII
MIDWIFERY CARE IS EVALUATED ACCORDING TO AN
ESTABLISHED PROGRAM FOR QUALITY MANAGEMENT THAT
INCLUDES A PLAN TO IDENTIFY AND RESOLVE PROBLEMS.
The midwife:
 Participates in a program of quality management for the evaluation of
practice within the setting in which it occurs.
 Provides for a systematic collection of practice data as part of a
program of quality management.
 Seeks consultation to review problems, including peer review of care.
 Acts to resolve problems identified.
STANDARD VIII
MIDWIFERY PRACTICE MAY BE EXPANDED BEYOND THE ACNM CORE
COMPETENCIES TO INCORPORATE NEW PROCEDURES THAT IMPROVE
CARE FOR WOMEN AND THEIR FAMILIES.
The midwife:
 Identifies the need for a new procedure taking into consideration
consumer demand, standards for safe practice, and availability of
other qualified personnel.
 Ensures that there are no institutional, state, or federal statutes,
regulations, or bylaws that would constrain the midwife from
incorporation of the procedure into practice .

 Demonstrates knowledge and competency, including: a) Knowledge
of risks, benefits, and client selection criteria. b) Process for
acquisition of required skills. c)Identification and management of
complications. d) Process to evaluate outcomes and maintain
competency.
 Maintains documentation of the process used to achieve the
necessary knowledge, skills and ongoing competency of the expanded
or new procedures.

Standards in Midwifery Practice

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Standards in Midwifery Practice

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Description:

Original Title

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Standards in Midwifery Practice

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

What are the qualifications required for a midwife?

What safety measures must a midwife demonstrate in their practice?

STANDARDS FOR THE PRACTICE OF

 Identifies the need for a new procedure taking into consideration

consumer demand, standards for safe practice, and availability of

other qualified personnel.

 Ensures that there are no institutional, state, or federal statutes,

regulations, or bylaws that would constrain the midwife from

incorporation of the procedure into practice .

of risks, benefits, and client selection criteria. b) Process for

acquisition of required skills. c)Identification and management of

complications. d) Process to evaluate outcomes and maintain

 Maintains documentation of the process used to achieve the

necessary knowledge, skills and ongoing competency of the expanded

You might also like