U.S. News & World Report has named St. Catherine Hospital as a 2024 High Performing hospital for Maternity Care (Uncomplicated Pregnancy). This is the highest award a hospital can earn for U.S. News’ Best Hospitals for Maternity Care.
St. Catherine Hospital is one of only six Indiana hospitals and the only in Northwest Indiana to earn a High Performing designation in recognition of maternity care as measured by factors such as newborn complication rates.
“Earning this distinction demonstrates St. Catherine Hospital’s continued commitment to delivering the highest standard of care to our pregnant patients,” St. Catherine Hospital CEO Leo Correa said. “Women trust our Family Birthing Center staff to usher new life into the world in a way that is safe for the mother and baby, and that is a responsibility we take seriously.”
Best Hospitals for Maternity Care is an annual evaluation designed to assist expectant parents, in consultation with their prenatal care team, in making informed decisions about where to receive maternity care that best meets their family’s needs.
U.S. News evaluated hospitals across the nation that provide labor and delivery services and submitted detailed data to the publication for analysis; 680 hospitals participated in this year’s survey. Fewer than half – 46% – of all hospitals that offer maternity care and participated in the survey received a High Performing designation.
“Hospitals that receive a High Performing designation as part of Best Hospitals for Maternity Care meet a high standard in caring for parents with uncomplicated pregnancies,” said Jennifer Winston, health data scientist at U.S. News. “These hospitals have C-section rates that are 26% lower, and newborn complication rates that are 37% lower than unrecognized hospitals.”
The U.S. News Best Hospitals for Maternity Care methodology is based on objective measures of quality, such as C-section rates in lower-risk pregnancies, newborn complication rates, exclusive breast milk feeding rates, early elective delivery rates, birthing-friendly practices and transparency on racial/ethnic disparities, among other measures.
St. Catherine Hospital medical professionals guide women throughout the birthing process, from labor through postpartum care. Women can feel safe knowing they are under the care of skilled professionals who have access to advanced medical technology. To prepare for the transition home, women have access to lactation consultants, newborn education, a complimentary car seat and a complimentary SleepSack.
For more about healthy beginnings at the Family Birthing Centers of Community Healthcare System, visit COMHS.org/baby.
