Three WellSpan Health hospitals have been named by U.S. News & World Report as among the nation’s best hospitals for offering high-quality maternity care. WellSpan Chambersburg Hospital, WellSpan Ephrata Community Hospital and WellSpan Gettysburg Hospital were each noted for their excellence. This is the second year in a row that the Chambersburg and Ephrata hospitals have earned the distinction.
“We are incredibly proud of our teams’ relentless pursuit of excellence and commitment to caring for pregnant and new moms in our care,” said Kimberly Bahata, vice president of the women and children service line and chief nursing officer of WellSpan Medical Group. “Together, we are making a difference in the lives of the community members we serve through high-quality care and improved patient outcomes.”
The rigorous evaluation process conducted by U.S. News & World Report assessed 817 hospitals nationwide that were eligible for potential recognition. Hospitals were ranked based on composite scores for maternity care utilizing seven measures: cesarean section delivery rates, severe unexpected newborn complication rates, routine vaginal birth after C-section delivery rates, commitment to exclusive breast milk feeding, episiotomy rates, birthing-friendly practice and reporting on racial ethnic disparities. Measures were collected via a nationwide, mid-year survey conducted by U.S. News & World Report or from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
WellSpan’s maternal health services include comprehensive prenatal and delivery services for mothers and babies, including expert midwife and doula care. Specialty maternal health programs, such as a program focused on a serious condition called preeclampsia, are contributing to the system’s quest for high-quality care.
The accolades for these WellSpan hospitals for maternity care excellence are the latest in a succession of prestigious acknowledgement for WellSpan facilities. The nine-hospital system has also earned the American Hospital Association Quest for Quality Prize, recognition by Healthgrades as Among America’s Best Hospitals in the country and recognition from U.S. News & World Report for “High Performing” outcomes in multiple clinical areas.
To learn more about WellSpan’s pregnancy and maternity services, readers may visit https://www.wellspan.org/conditions-and-treatments/pregnancy-care.
