Atrium Medical Center, Miami Valley Hospital Recognized for Maternity Care

DAYTON, Ohio (Dec. 5, 2023) – U.S. News & World Report has named Premier Health’s Atrium Medical Center and Miami Valley Hospital to its annual list of hospitals for best maternity care. Both hospitals have been recognized as “High Performing” in Maternity Care (Uncomplicated Pregnancy), the highest rating U.S. News awards for maternity care.

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.

Miami Valley Hospital and Atrium Medical Center each earned a High Performing designation in recognition of maternity care as measured by factors such as newborn complication rates.

“Premier Health takes great pride in our ability to offer exceptional, comprehensive care close to home,” said Melissa Merritt, MSN, RN, NE-BC, Premier Health vice president of women’s services. “This recognition reflects the expertise of our caregivers, who are dedicated to providing high-quality maternity care and an excellent birthing experience for our patients.”

U.S. News evaluated hospitals from across the nation that provide labor and delivery services and submitted detailed data to the publication for analysis; 680 hospitals, an all-time high, participated in this year’s U.S. News 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. Parents-to-be can research their local hospitals’ performance metrics for free at health.usnews.com to help them choose where to have their baby.”

The U.S. News Best Hospitals for Maternity Care methodology is based entirely 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.

Maternity Services at Miami Valley Hospital delivers more babies than any other hospital in the region. With southwest Ohio’s only high-risk maternity center and Level III Neonatal Intensive Care Unit in the same facility, mothers and babies receive the most comprehensive care. The Family Beginnings Birth Center offers a natural childbirth experience that focuses on family involvement and wellness and supports the natural process of birth. Miami Valley has a Perinatal Intensive Care Unit for mothers in need of high-risk care before and after birth.

The Family Birth and Natural Beginnings Birth Center at Atrium Medical Center combines the comfort of home with advanced technology and an experienced medical staff. The comprehensive maternity care available features flexible birthing options, including natural births; private birthing suites that include a jacuzzi; certified nurse midwives; board-certified lactation consultants who provide breastfeeding instruction; childbirth education classes; and an FBI-reviewed security system that tracks every baby’s movement within the hospital.

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