While the state of Virginia requires licensing for individual midwives, birth centers have no licensure requirements. So why did we at Premier Birth Center pursue independent accreditation? First and foremost, we are committed to excellence, for our clients, for our staff, and for the babies we serve. Independent accreditation of the birth center sets us apart.
The Commission for the Accreditation of Birth Centers (CABC) inspects birth center facilities with a comprehensive process that relies upon the American Association of Birth Center's nine key standards, standards that examine the facility and staff in several ways. For instance, the accreditation process examines the birth center in relation to its community—its community ties, its ability to adapt to changes in the community, and its ability to maintain strong community ties, as well the integration of the birth center as part of the larger health system. And the process also examines the fiscal soundness of the birth center’s administration practices.
The other standards include: The quality of services in relation to the Midwives Model of Care; the status of building codes, medical equipment, supply and demand of supplies, and whether the environment is welcoming and safe; proper licensing of staff, with clear training guidelines and the standard of at least two staff members attend each birth; charting standards for records, which includes extensive standards for client education and assessment; regular review of the quality of care and clinical outcomes; and standards for research if the center conducts research.
CABC Accreditation affirms our commitment to quality and to giving the best possible care to all of our clients. It was hard work, but well worth the time and effort. We love our clients and are proud to provide the highest quality of care to our community!