Providing the highest standard of care for obstetrical patients has always been paramount for the team at The Center for Children and Women. The Southwest location of The Center has recently received the stamp of approval from the state of Texas thanks to a new Level II Maternal Designation issued by Texas Department of State Health Services to CHI St. Luke’s Hospital in Sugar Land.
With more than 90 percent of the obstetrical patients at The Center–Southwest delivering at CHI St. Luke’s, this is a big win for our families and the entire Sugar Land community.
This achievement was spear headed by one of our own, Dr. Michelle Jones. As the Maternal Medical Director at CHI St. Luke’s Hospital in Sugar Land, she led the team through a two-day hospital survey conducted by the American College of Obstetricians & Gynecologist and state health services.
“This Level II Specialty Care designation validates that we can safely and competently provide high quality care for moderate-to high-risk antepartum, intrapartum, or postpartum conditions,” said Dr. Jones, Maternal Medical Director at CHI St. Luke’s Hospital in Sugar Land. “This state-issued designation means that we understand and have implemented the standards of care identified as necessary to provide quality care for obstetrical patients. Recognizing and addressing early warning signs which will help us decrease obstetrical complications is a key focus of our in-patient teams.”
Dr. Jones goes on to say that the designation sends a strong message to patients that we are doing what is best to improve the quality of care for them.
Why is this so important?
Unfortunately, national data shows a continuing trend that although we are one of the richest countries we lag behind other developed countries in the category of insuring good health care for expecting mothers. Maternal mortality and morbidity has increased by at least 200 percent from 1993 to 2014. Black women have a 3.3 times greater risk of complications compared to non-Hispanic white women.
And to make matters even more challenging, three out five pregnancy-related deaths in the US are preventable. Reducing the number of preventable deaths has been the primary goal of reducing maternal mortality initiatives in Harris County.
“We are working with standards of care that will save more lives,” Jones said. “And this designation will ensure that we are accountable for the care with provide. I am proud of our team and excited for our patients.”