QCI Tracking Tips for Birth Workers
How to Make Quality Care Indicators Work for You, Not Against You
If you're a midwife, doula, or part of a birth center team, you've probably heard the phrase "QCI tracking" more than once—and maybe with a little anxiety. Whether you're prepping for a site visit, applying for accreditation, or just trying to stay on top of your clinical data, keeping up with Quality Care Indicators (QCIs) can feel like one more overwhelming task on an already full plate.
But here’s the truth: when used well, QCI tracking can be a powerful tool—not just a box to check.
Let’s walk through what QCIs actually are, why they matter, and how to make your tracking process smoother, smarter, and more sustainable.
What Are Quality Care Indicators?
QCIs are clinical and operational data points that reflect the quality and safety of the care your practice provides. Think of them as a way to tell the story of your outcomes—and back that story up with numbers.
Common examples include:
Rates of transfer to hospital during labor
Cesarean birth rates
Incidence of postpartum hemorrhage
Newborns transferred for higher-level care
Breastfeeding initiation rates
Client satisfaction or informed choice documentation
Whether you're pursuing CABC accreditation, meeting state licensure requirements, or building your own internal quality improvement system, QCI data matters.
Why QCI Tracking Matters
✅ It improves care
Tracking patterns helps you identify strengths and areas for growth. Are hemorrhages increasing? Are more clients transferring out at a specific gestational age? That data tells you something valuable.
✅ It protects your license
Regulatory bodies and accreditation organizations want to see proof of safe, effective care. Your data provides that.
✅ It helps with insurance and reimbursement
Showing strong outcomes supports payer negotiations, especially when you're trying to justify out-of-hospital care reimbursement.
✅ It builds team accountability
When everyone contributes to tracking, documentation quality goes up—and so does trust in your system.
Tips to Track QCIs Without Losing Your Mind
1. Start with the Must-Haves
Focus first on the data your state or accreditor requires. Then add more as your system allows. It’s better to track 5 things well than 15 things inconsistently.
2. Create a Monthly or Quarterly Routine
Set a recurring task to review and record data on a regular basis. This keeps it manageable—and ensures nothing slips through the cracks.
3. Automate What You Can
Use EHR tools, spreadsheets with formulas, or even Airtable/Notion templates to reduce manual counting. I can help set up a system that fits your workflow.
4. Designate a QCI Lead
Assign one person (or rotate!) to oversee data entry and make sure it gets reviewed. Team accountability = better data.
5. Keep Your Definitions Clear
What counts as a transfer? What qualifies as a hemorrhage? Write out your definitions and make sure your whole team agrees. Consistency is everything when it comes to data.
6. Visualize Your Progress
Don’t just collect data—use it! Turn it into charts, dashboards, or infographics you can share with your team, your clients, or insurers.
Bottom Line
QCI tracking isn't just a paperwork chore—it’s a way to show your excellence, support continuous improvement, and advocate for the future of out-of-hospital birth. With the right tools and habits in place, you can make your data work for you (not the other way around).
And if you’re feeling stuck or unsure where to begin, you don’t have to figure it all out alone.
Need help building a QCI tracking spreadsheet or organizing your monthly data review? I’ve got you.
📩 Harley Skaggs, CPC, CPB
harley@elitemasolutions.net