Collaborative Recognizes Efforts to Improve Outcomes for Oklahoma Mothers and Babies

Nine Oklahoma hospitals recently received awards for providing excellence in perinatal care from the Oklahoma Perinatal Quality Improvement Collaborative. The awards were presented at the fifth annual summit of the collaborative in Oklahoma City. Approximately 215 providers of maternal and infant care came together at the event to discuss continued efforts to improve outcomes for Oklahoma mothers and babies, and to celebrate success from their ongoing work.
Hospitals receiving the “Spotlight Hospital Awards” were recognized for participation and sustained improvement in the areas of early elective deliveries (inducing labor and scheduling cesarean births before 39 weeks without a medical reason), education to prevent abusive head trauma (commonly known as shaken baby syndrome), modeling and promoting safe sleep practices, accurate newborn screening, creating an environment that is supportive of best practices in maternity care and breastfeeding, and being prepared for obstetrical emergencies (such as hemorrhage and preeclampsia) through training, guidelines and hospital resources.
Receiving hospital “Spotlight” awards were: Duncan Regional Hospital, INTEGRIS Canadian Valley Hospital, Yukon, INTEGRIS Health Edmond, Lakeside Women’s Hospital, Oklahoma City, Saint Francis Hospital, Tulsa, SSM Health St. Anthony Hospital – Oklahoma City, SSM Health St. Anthony Hospital – Shawnee, St. Mary’s Regional Medical Center, Enid and The Children’s Hospital at OU Medical Center, Oklahoma City.
Chad Smith, MD, medical director of the Oklahoma Perinatal Quality Improvement Collaborative, congratulated the hospitals saying, “Patient safety and quality improvement in women’s health have become top priorities nationally and for the state of Oklahoma. You have each demonstrated dedication to and excellence in improving the care of Oklahoma women and newborns. We have achieved momentum through your efforts, and together we can continue to drive change in a positive direction.”
In addition, Tracie Anderson, MS, director of the Perinatal Neonatal Program, OUHSC, Oklahoma City, received the Warren M. Crosby Champion for Maternal and Infant Health Award for going above and beyond to display exemplary effort to improve outcomes for mothers and babies in the local community and statewide.
Partners in the Oklahoma Perinatal Quality Improvement Collaborative include: March of Dimes, Oklahoma City-County Health Department, Tulsa Health Department, Oklahoma Health Care Authority, Oklahoma Hospital Association, Oklahoma State Department of Health and County Health Departments, and University of Oklahoma Departments of OB/GYN and Pediatrics.