AMITA Adventist La Grange Memorial Hospital issued the following announcement on Apr. 23.
Seven AMITA Health hospitals in Chicagoland have been recognized by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois with a Blue Distinction® Centers+ (BDC+) for Maternity Care designation as part of the Blue Distinction Specialty Care program.
The AMITA Health hospitals recognized are:
AMITA Health Adventist Medical Center Bolingbrook
AMITA Health Adventist Medical Center GlenOaks
AMITA Health Adventist Medical Center Hinsdale
AMITA Health Alexian Medical Center Elk Grove Village
AMITA Health Saint Joseph Medical Center Joliet
AMITA Health Saints Mary and Elizabeth Medical Center Chicago
AMITA Health St. Alexius Medical Center Hoffman Estates
In addition, an eighth hospital, AMITA Health St. Mary's Hospital Kankakee, was recognized as a Blue Distinction® Center (BDC).
BDCs are healthcare facilities and providers recognized for their expertise in delivering specialty care. BDCs+ are BDCs additionally recognized for efficiency in delivering care. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), racial and ethnic disparities are persistent and widespread across maternal health care, primarily driven by socioeconomic status, geographic location and implicit provider bias. The CDC recognizes that, compared to similarly developed countries such as Canada, Germany and Australia, the United State has the highest maternal mortality rate (MMR) of approximately 17.4 deaths per 100,000 live births, steadily increasing since 2000. The CDC finds that non-Hispanic Black women are two to three times more likely to die from preventable or treatable pregnancy-related complications compared to white women.
To help address these gaps in care and ensure the better health of mothers, The Blue Cross Blue Shield Association enhanced its quality evaluation for the Maternity Care program to address key factors driving the United States' maternal health crisis, such as preventable or treatable pregnancy related conditions, high utilization of Caesarean sections and racial and ethnic disparities in maternal health care.
Overall, cost of care episodes for vaginal and cesarean births at BDC+ facilities are 20% less than those at non-Blue Distinction Centers+ facilities. The rates of episiotomies were 49% less at Blue Distinction Centers (BDC and BDC+) than those at non-Blue Distinction Centers (BDC and BDC+).
"We are incredibly proud to have so many of the hospitals where we care for the new mothers in our communities receive this important distinction," said Mary Ann Palermo, vice president, patient safety and quality for AMITA Health. "Giving birth is a special experience for our new and expectant moms and we're pleased to be recognized for the safe, high-quality care we provide."
In 2020, the Blue Distinction Centers for Maternity Care Program was expanded beyond traditional outcome measures to include assessments of internal quality improvement, data collection and dissemination, and internal protocols that better address clinical quality and equity issues in maternity care. New in the evaluation cycle, facilities must collect race ethnicity data, have a maternal quality improvement program, commence drills and simulations for adverse events, and have dedicated protocols and procedures for the management of hypertension and hemorrhage. In addition, they must meet clinical outcome metrics at a higher standard than required previously. Specifically, the rate for low-risk first-time Cesarean sections (NTSV C-section rate, PC-02) has been aligned with the revised Healthy People 2020 goals. Facilities eligible for the Blue Distinction Centers for Maternity care show statistically significant differences in key clinical outcomes compared to their peers.
"Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois is committed to working with providers to help improve the care of mothers and their infant children and is proud to offer this important recognition," said Derek Robinson, MD, MBA, FACEP, CHCQM, chief medical officer, BCBSIL. "It's one of the ways we're partnering with members, employers, providers and communities to help improve health equity."
For more information about the program and for a complete listing of the designated providers, visit www.bcbs.com/bluedistinction.
Original source can be found here.
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