ProvenCare® Perinatal Improves Outcomes for Moms, Babies Through Evidence-Based Practices

Newswise — DANVILLE, Pa. – In just two years, Geisinger Health System’s ProvenCare® Perinatal program has decreased the number of cesarean sections it provides and decreased the number of admissions to the system’s neonatal intensive care units (NICU).

Published in The Journal of Nursing Administration, ProvenCare Perinatal’s results show that the rate of C-sections at Geisinger Wyoming Valley Medical Center in Wilkes-Barre, Pa., went from 36 percent down to 19 percent. C-sections, while safe and oftentimes medically necessary, do present certain health risks for moms and babies. In addition, ProvenCare Perinatal has reduced the number of NICU admissions at Geisinger Medical Center in Danville, Pa., by instituting key protocols such as smoking cessation education and intervention for pregnant women, and measures to identify gestational diabetes for appropriate treatment as early as possible.

“There are more than 103 best-practice guidelines that we’re following to ensure our moms get the right care, every time,” said Ruth Nolan, R.N., Ph.D., vice president of Women’s Health Services, Geisinger Health System. “Our nursing staff has also reported dramatically higher satisfaction with workflow and documentation due to the evidence-based protocols we now have in place.”

In 2008, the March of Dimes issued its “Premature Birth Report Card” and Pennsylvania received a grade of “D” for having a preterm birth rate of 11.9 percent, which was 50 percent higher than the Healthy People 2010 objective of 7.6 percent. That same year Geisinger’s ProvenCare Perinatal was launched.

Other results show that ProvenCare Perinatal has reduced the average NICU length of stay by 1.5 days for babies of mothers who received care after the program’s implementation, allowing families to go home sooner.

“We continue to track outcomes and to modify the program to understand what really matters in the care of our mothers and newborns,” said Nolan. “Our results show that hospitals around the country can improve outcomes for moms and babies by taking these proven steps.”

About Geisinger Health SystemGeisinger is a an integrated health services organization widely recognized for its innovative use of the electronic health record, and the development and implementation of innovative care models including advanced medical home and ProvenCare® ("warranty") program. The system serves more than 2.6 million residents throughout 42 counties in central and northeastern Pennsylvania. For more information, visit www.geisinger.org.