NEW ORLEANS – The Louisiana Department of Health and the Louisiana Perinatal Quality Collaborative announced that East Jefferson General Hospital, Lakeview Hospital and Touro have maintained their Louisiana Birth Ready+ designations. Lakeside hospital and West Jefferson General Hospital have maintained their Louisiana Birth Ready designations. All five LCMC Health birthing hospitals have been recognized for “consistent, thoughtful healthcare improvement work that focuses on improving safety, equity, and promoting dignified birth,” said an LCMC spokesperson.
To achieve this designation, facilities met criteria in several dimensions, including implementation of policies and procedures, promoting patient partnership, and addressing health disparities and equity. The hospitals that have achieved Birth Ready+ Designation have met a higher threshold of compliance and achievement of the requirements.
“LCMC Health is proud to have all of its birthing hospitals recognized with Birth Ready designation,” said Greg Feirn LCMC Health CEO. “Our hospitals put in extraordinary work towards making Louisiana a healthier state by improving maternal health outcomes in our community.”
“It is a privilege to acknowledge these birthing facilities that are working to implement best practices in an equitable way to ensure every woman who gives birth has a safe, equitable and dignified birth,” said Dr. Veronica Gillispie-Bell, medical director of the LaPQC. “Through each round of designations, the requirements become more stringent, so to have additional hospitals achieve designation is truly an accomplishment.”
The work of the LaPQC, an initiative of the Department’s Bureau of Family Health and the Louisiana Commission on Perinatal Care and Prevention of Infant Mortality, is dedicated to improving perinatal and neonatal outcomes across Louisiana.
