The Virginia Neonatal Perinatal Collaborative (VNPC) Evidence-Based in the Dyad Care — Substance Use Disorder (EBDC-SUD) quality improvement initiative is helping clinicians across Virginia improve care for pregnant and postpartum patients impacted by SUD, as well as substance-exposed infants, through education, communication and evidence-based practices.
In 2022, 4.8 per 1,000 birth hospitalizations in Virginia involved neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS). Additionally, mothers who screen positive for SUD at birth are three times more likely to experience severe maternal morbidity (SMM). The prevalence of SUD and its impacts on mothers, infants, and families in Virginia make initiatives such as EBDC critical in improving care and reducing SMM rates. The foundation of EBDC-SUD is educating healthcare professionals on best practices in communication and motivational interviewing to ensure respectful, unbiased care for moms impacted by SUD.
This quarter, VNPC expanded its educational offerings by doubling the number of motivational interviewing webinars from one to two. These webinars are intended to teachparticipants about effective communication with patients and families affected by substance use disorders. The webinar recordings have been added to Brandfolder, providing participating facilities with easier access to training. Access to VNPC’s EBDC-SUD educational content has never been greater;the number of participating hospital facilities receiving this training has grown from four to seven. As a result, EBDC-SUD is reaching more clinicians across the state, facilitating learning and strengthening communication skills to reduce stigma, improve patient-provider trust, and support better health outcomes for Virginia’s moms and babies.
In addition to providing education on communication, VNPC also researched and compiled additional evidence-based policies, procedures, and protocols that are relevant to caring for perinatal patients impacted by SUD. Among the topics covered are discharge planning, service referrals, and warm hand-offs. This work doubled the number of evidence-based protocols available to participating facilities, increasing resources from one to two. These resources are intended to help clinicians provide standardized, coordinated care processes that connect moms and their families with the support they need after they leave the hospital.
The latest EBDC-SUD dashboard data from the 11 participating hospitals demonstrate the progress made thus far in improving care for moms and infants affected by SUD and neonatal abstinence syndrome, respectively.
Recent outcomes include:
- 100% of substance-exposed infants were discharged to a parent in the most recent reporting period.
- 91% of patients with opioid use disorder (OUD) received or were referred to recovery treatment services — exceeding our 85% goal.
- 95% of substance-exposed infants had a discharge plan in place — well above our 50% goal.
- 100% of SUD patients received medication for opioid use disorder (MOUD) and recovery counseling in the most recent reporting period.
While the above data points represent significant achievements and milestones for participating facilities across Virginia, the work continues. EBDC-SUD is on track to reach the sustainability phase in Fall 2026. VNPC will remain committed to supporting all participating hospitals with education, data-driven quality improvement resources, and technical assistance to ensure every mom, infant and family affected by SUD receives respectful, coordinated, and evidence-based care.
