Accreditation

What is Accreditation?

GoodBirth accreditation is a mark of commitment by the midwifery center

to high-quality care.

Accreditation is a voluntary, educational process that recognizes a commitment to sustainable high-quality care. Midwifery centers voluntarily seek accreditation because of its educational value. Research has found the accreditation experience itself to be highly valued. When accreditation is awarded to a center, it is an accomplishment for the center’s staff; and an assurance for those that use, support, and fund the center’s programs of its deep commitment to quality.

Accreditation is an objective and systematic measurement of how an institution meets global standards. An accredited center goes through a yearlong process of self-assessment, a participatory process with its community members, and submission of evidence demonstrating alignment with 43 global standards. An independent board of commissioners then determines if they meet international standards.

Many countries lack processes for licensing of midwifery centers. In these countries, accreditation is especially important, as it is the only formal mechanism by which clients, local communities, government, professional associations and funders may be reassured that a center is meeting international standards for sustainable quality.

The process for accreditation

Standards

The GoodBirth Network Operational Standards were developed by a multinational group of midwifery centers. The standards support the creation of sustainable workflows for quality, reflecting best practices and a commitment to mothers and babies.

The standards are grouped into three areas of operation, each of which is essential for the provision of safe and respectful care for mothers and babies.

Dignity – These 13 standards focus on the personal well-being and dignity of mothers and babies.

Quality – These 13 standards focus on providing high-quality midwifery model of care.

Community – These 17 standards focus on meeting the community’s needs, and providing care that is integrated into the health system.

The GBN standards were developed from international published standards for maternal health care facilities and midwifery birth centers. (see below)

Through an informal process with global midwifery center experts and users, the list of standards was mapped, duplicates removed, and the language adapted for global use.

The final list of 43 standards was piloted in 8 countries prior to publication.

Overview of standard development process: