Sixteen hospitals in the state that deliver babies have met new standards designed to improve the state’s poor maternal death rate. Medical Director of the Louisiana Perinatal Quality Collaborative Dr. Veronica Gillespie-Bell said they are working to reduce maternal death rates in which hypertension and hemorrhage are the leading causes.
“All of our hospitals are working to put in structures and processes to address those leading causes of maternal morbidity as well as the causes of the disparities that we see and outcomes,” said Gillespie-Bell.
The collaborative was launched in 2018 joining healthcare providers and community advocates to improve birthing outcomes. Gillespie-Bell said they began with 31 hospitals and have grown to 42 which covers 95-percent of births in the state, and they’ve seen a 35-percent reduction in adverse outcomes.
“This designation just acknowledges those hospitals that have gone above and beyond implementing those procedures,” said Gillespie-Bell.
So, of the sixteen hospitals that are meeting the collaborative’s standard should expectant mothers forgo undesignated birthing hospitals in Louisiana, Gillespie-Bell said not necessarily.
“They may not have accomplished where our requirements are for designation but that does not mean that they are not putting in these processes and structures to improve maternal outcome,” said Gillespie-Bell.
As of August 2021, the following Louisiana birthing hospitals have achieved Birth Ready Designation:
- Baton Rouge General
- Christus Ochsner Lake Area Hospital
- Christus St. Frances Cabrini Hospital
- East Jefferson General Hospital
- Jennings American Legion Hospital
- Lane Regional Medical Center
- Ochsner LSU Health Monroe
- Ochsner LSU Health Shreveport St. Mary Medical Center
- Ochsner Medical Center Kenner
- Willis-Knighton South and the Center for Women’s Health
- Woman’s Hospital
As of August 2021, the following Louisiana birthing hospitals have achieved Birth Ready+ Designation:
- North Oaks Medical Center
- Ochsner Baptist Medical Center
- Ochsner Medical Center Baton Rouge
- Our Lady of the Angels Hospital
- Tulane Lakeside Hospital for Women and Children
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