Improving Birth Data Reporting: Tools & Training
Best Practices for Reporting Birth Data
Free Online Training for Birth Data Accuracy
A 90-minute e-learning course for physicians, nurses, and non-clinical hospital staff.
Course Objectives
- By the end of this training, participants will be able to:
- Determine when to complete a birth certificate or fetal death report
- Understand your role and responsibilities in data collection
- Apply national best practices for reporting accurate data
- Utilize standard resources and facility worksheets
- Improve data quality at your facility
- Describe how data is collected, protected, and used
Why This Matters?
Accurate reporting benefits:
- Your Facility: Improves internal processes and patient outcomes.
- Your state: Supports health research and policy.
- Maternal and Infant Health: Enhances data-driven decision-making.
What You Will Learn
- The importance of high-quality data in public health
- How to complete birth certificates and fetal death reports accurately
- Where to find official guidance and resources
Real-world case examples, quizzes, and interactive learning
Who Should Take This Course
This training is ideal for:
- Physicians
- Nurses
- Non-clinical hospital or birthing center staff
Anyone responsible for reporting medical and health information on vital records.
Continuing education credits are available, including CME (Continuing Medical Education), CNE (Continuing Nursing Education), CEU (Continuing Education Units), and CPH (Certified in Public Health). Course completion certificates are also provided.
Decision Tree for Perinatal Event Reporting
Guidelines for reporting live births, infant deaths, fetal deaths, and induced terminations of pregnancy (ITOPs). A new decision tree was recently developed in partnership with the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) within the CDC.
The decision tree:
- Provides detailed definitions of perinatal events
- Clarifies the sequence of reporting
- Designed to support clinicians in accurate documentation
Copies of the Decision Tree Flow Chart are available upon request. Email NCHS at Births@cdc.gov or NAPHSIS at hq@naphsis.org
Technical Resources: Induced Termination of Pregnancy (ITOPs)
NAPHSIS, with technical assistance from CDC and NCHS, developed a comprehensive technical resource document to support accurate reporting of induced terminations of pregnancy (ITOP). The guide provides jurisdictions with tools to improve consistency and strengthen public health data.
Key features include:
- A sample ITOP form with standardized terminology and definitions.
- Guidance to align reporting practices across facilities and states.
- Strategies to reduce misclassification and variability in reporting.
This resource is designed to be adopted or adapted by jurisdictions in their ITOP reporting forms. By promoting data uniformity and accuracy, it supports stronger public health surveillance, research, and evidence-based health policy development.