Transforming the Workforce to Provide Better Care: The Role of Obstetric Nurse Coordinators in North Carolina
Part 2 in the Transforming the Workforce to Provide Better Chronic Care:
The Role of Registered Nurses series.
Click to see the rest of the series.
Community Care of North Carolina utilizes community-based obstetric (OB) nurse coordinators to help administrate and support North Carolina’s Pregnancy Medical Home program—a program that aims to improve birth outcomes while also decreasing costs for high-risk pregnant Medicaid patients. OB nurse coordinators are charged with engaging OB practices and local health departments in the program and providing them with data and quality improvement support. In addition to highlighting state policy implications, this brief also showcases how Doris Robinson, an OB nurse coordinator in southeast North Carolina, is working to drive improvements in care in her region. Since the program launched in 2011, OB nurse coordinators, like Doris, have helped to engage over 85 percent of OB practices in North Carolina that accept Medicaid.
This brief is the second in a six-part series, supported by the AARP Public Policy Institute, which explores the evolving role of nurses in new delivery system models.
| Attachment | Size |
|---|---|
| Download the Publication | 1.73 MB |

Outcomes Research Can Inform Policymaking
Finding Research and Other Relevant Resources
Evaluating the Evidence
Using The Evidence To Design A Program Or Policy
Communicating And Disseminating The Decision
Monitoring And Evaluating New Research As It Becomes Available
For individuals living with complex, often chronic conditions, and their families, palliative care can provide relief from symptoms, improve satisfaction and outcomes, and help address critical mental and spiritual needs during difficult times. Now more than ever, there is growing recognition of the importance of palliative care services for individuals with serious illness, such as advance care planning, pain and symptom management, care coordination, and team-based, multi-disciplinary support. These services can help patients and families cope with the symptoms and stressors of disease, better anticipate and avoid crises, and reduce unnecessary and/or unwanted care. While this model is grounded in evidence that demonstrates improved quality of life, better outcomes, and reduced cost for patients, only a fraction of individuals who could benefit from palliative care receive it. 























































































































































