ELKINS, W.VA. – The birth of a child is one of the happiest times for parents, and during 2017 more than 300 babies were delivered at Davis Medical Center Family Birthing Center. Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield West Virginia recently recognized Davis Medical Center (DMC) with a Blue Distinction Center for Maternity Care designation as part of the Blue Distinction Specialty Care program. The Blue Distinction Centers are nationally designated hospitals showing expertise in delivering improved patient safety and better health outcomes, based on objective measures developed with input from the medical community.
The DMC Family Birthing Center is proud to be recognized by Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield West Virginia for meeting and maintaining the rigorous Blue Distinction Center quality selection criteria for maternity care.
“Our maternity care program excels in providing patient and family-centered care,” said Anne Banfield, MD, FACOG, and director of Women’s HealthCare. “I commend our staff and providers for continually delivering the highest standard of care to our patients, and earning this distinction received by only 12 other hospitals in the state.”
In the United States nearly 4 million babies are born annually, making childbirth the most common cause for hospital stays, and cesarean sections the most common operating room procedures, according to National Centers for Health Statistics and the Agency for Health Care Research & Quality. Reducing early elective delivery is an area of focus for the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists and the American Academy of Pediatrics. According to Health Affairs, elective inductions result in more cesarean deliveries and a longer maternal hospitalization. The Blue Distinction Centers for Maternity Care program evaluates hospitals on quality measures for vaginal and cesarean delivery.
Dr. Charles DeShazer, Vice President and Executive Medical Director, Clinical Services, Medical Policy and Quality said the Blue Distinction program gives Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield West Virginia members the ability to choose their providers based upon reliable quality and safety information. “It also provides a pathway for exceptional providers to demonstrate their value and delivers the kind of transparency necessary for members to make informed value-driven healthcare decisions. We congratulate our Blue Distinction Specialty Care Providers on their accomplishment and thank our members for choosing Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield West Virginia,” DeShazer said.
Cynthia A. Marsh, DMC Family Birthing Center Clinical Manager said she was pleased to learn about the Distinction for Maternity Care. “Excellent patient care is our top priority and I think our commitment to excellence is demonstrated through this honor,” Marsh said.
Across the nation, Blue Cross Blue Shield Companies have recognized more than 1,000 hospitals as Blue Distinction Centers for maternity care. In West Virginia, a total of 12 maternity care centers were recognized. Hospitals earning this distinction are assessed using a combination of quality information supplied by hospitals and cost measures derived from Blue Cross Blue Shield companies’ medical claims.
Since 2006, the Blue Distinction Specialty Care program has helped patients find quality specialty care in the areas of bariatric surgery, cancer care, cardiac care, maternity care, knee and hip replacements, spine surgery and transplants, while encouraging health care professionals to improve the care they deliver. Research shows, compared to other hospitals, those designated as Blue Distinction Centers demonstrate better quality and improved outcomes for patients.
DMC’s Maternity Care services are provided by three board-certified obstetrician/gynecologists and include a range of care for mothers and babies before, during and after pregnancy. Prenatal care and prenatal educational classes help parents throughout pregnancy and delivery. Family birthing suites offer a private, comfortable setting for babies’ birth. To learn more about Maternity Care call304.637.3948 or visit https://www.davishealthsystem.org/medical-services/obstetric-services.
