Perinatal Methodology: A Closer Look at Our Stage-Driven Acuity Methodology
Understanding the complexities of perinatal care is essential to providing safe, effective, and patient-centered care. At AcuityPlus by Harris OnPoint, our commitment to specialized solutions is exemplified in our Perinatal methodology. Its unique, stage-based approach to acuity and associated workload is designed to differentiate the needs of both mothers and newborns throughout the perinatal journey.
What Makes the Perinatal Methodology Unique?
Unlike generalized acuity systems that blend maternal and newborn conditions into one average score, AcuityPlus separates the two, giving each patient a distinct acuity level. This distinction is critical because what’s happening with the mother may differ significantly from the newborn’s condition.
By isolating maternal and newborn acuities, clinical teams gain a more accurate and actionable picture of patient needs, supporting real-time decisions in a sensitive care environment.
A Stage-Based System That Reflects the Real Patient Journeys
Our methodology is structured around:
- Six maternal stages: From Antepartum through Postpartum
- Three newborn stages: From Immediate Care to Nursery
Each stage is guided by a progression-based model, reflecting the natural trajectory of care. At the heart of the methodology are 20 standardized indicators. Importantly, patients do not have to trigger any of the 20 indicators unless something clinically significant occurs. This ensures our system flags true deviations from normal care and not just routine activity.
Example:
A mother may progress from early labor to delivery and postpartum without complications. No indicators would trigger. But if an unexpected event or complication occurs, the associated indicators automatically triggers and the system adjusts the acuity type accordingly.
Differentiated Perinatal Acuity: Maternal and Infant Paths
Maternal Clinical Path
The maternal path typically follows these stages:
- Antepartum
- Early Labor
- Active Labor
- Delivery
- Recovery
- Postpartum
Each patient is assigned a Type 1 to Type 5 acuity level:
- Type 1: Lowest acuity
- Type 5: Highest acuity (complicated conditions requiring complex care)
Even in early stages, if a mother experiences significant complications—such as high-risk medication use or social complexity involving interpreters or behavioral health—the acuity can flex up to Type 5. If the progression is natural and uncomplicated, the acuity might follow a typical path; from a Type 2 to a Type 3, then to a Type 4 during delivery, and finally to a Type 1 in postpartum. This dynamic approach ensures nurse staffing recommendations accurately reflect real-world care demands, not just stage of labor.
Infant Clinical Path
The infant clinical path includes:
- Immediate Care after delivery
- Transition to newborn care
- Nursery or specialty care (if needed)
Newborns are also classified from Type 1 to Type 5. A healthy newborn may transition from a Type 4 (due to immediate post-delivery care needs) to a Type 1 over time. But if complications arise such as respiratory distress or low APGAR scores, the system adjusts acuity accordingly. This is based on real-time documentation in the Electronic Health Record (EHR).
AWHONN Guidelines and Evidence-Based Standards
Our methodology closely follows the AWHONN (Association of Women’s Health, Obstetric and Neonatal Nurses) guidelines, as a familiar reference point for perinatal, labor and delivery, and mother-baby nurses.
Unlike traditional ratio-based tools, our system:
- Accounts for actual staffing levels, not just scheduled numbers
- Incorporates resource-intensive needs beyond standard ratios
- Recommends staffing that reflects real-time clinical demands
This is especially critical given that perinatal care often involves non-linear pathways. Patients may come in for triage and either be discharged or transition directly into antepartum bed rest or delivery. Our system accounts for every possibility.
Real-Time Reporting for Optimal Resource Management
Built with robust reporting capabilities, powered by IBM Cognos, our system allows hospital leaders to:
- Monitor staffing levels vs. scheduled assignments
- Track acuity trends over time
- Identify resource gaps across maternal and newborn care
- Support compliance, safety, and quality metrics
This enables proactive decision-making and supports improved outcomes, staff satisfaction, and patient safety.
Why AcuityPlus Matters for Perinatal Teams
Our Perinatal methodology empowers nursing leaders and care teams with:
- Transparent, real-time acuity scoring
- Insightful dashboards for staffing and workflow management
- Integration with national best practices
- A system that reflects the true complexity of perinatal care
This detailed methodology ensures that the dynamic nature of perinatal care is captured, providing the insights needed for optimal patient outcomes and resource management.
At AcuityPlus by Harris OnPoint, we understand the vital role you and your team play in perinatal health. Connect with us to learn how our methodology can be a powerful resource for you and elevate patient care.
