Maternal health services accredited by The Joint Commission and Centering Health Institute
Hillsdale Hospital’s Bediako Birthing Center and Centering Pregnancy program earned accreditation from national accrediting bodies. The birthing center was accredited by The Joint Commission (TJC) with the Maternal Level of Care (MLC) Verification and the Centering Pregnancy program earned accreditation from the Centering Health Institute.
To receive accreditation from TJC, the birthing center underwent a comprehensive survey, resulting in full certification as a Level One (basic level of care) healthcare facility. The MLC Verification means pregnant and postpartum women are ensured to receive risk-appropriate maternal care services. It is granted to providers that have demonstrated decreased maternal mortality and morbidity. Hillsdale Hospital is one of 26 organizations with MLC Verification in the state of Michigan.
“The work our team does ensures quality and depth of care unheard of in a town our size,” said Dr. Nichole Ellis, chief of medical staff at Hillsdale Hospital. “It is a shining example of our hospital’s commitment to its community and the community’s commitment to this hospital.”
Centering Health Institute granted the Centering Pregnancy program full accreditation, meaning the program has improved maternal outcomes, reduced the risk of preterm birth, NICU admissions and emergency room utilization.
“We’re pleased to work with these organizations to ensure our programs meet the highest standard of care,” said Hillary Zimmerman, clinical nurse manager of obstetrics. “We hope to continue these and other partnerships to bring high-quality services to our community.”
Centering is a model of group prenatal care offered at Hillsdale Hospital’s OB-GYN clinic located in the Three Meadows Medical Building. The program equips patients with resources and education for healthy pregnancies and birthing experiences. By facilitating a group of mothers in similar stages of pregnancy, Centering provides a supportive environment for discussions of relevant topics such as nutrition, labor and delivery, and infant care, lead by a team of OB-GYN providers and support staff.
These credentials represent Hillsdale Hospital’s commitment to upholding the highest standards of quality and safety for their patients, workforce and community. Through the MLC accreditation process, hospitals also have the opportunity to gain a clearer understanding of their capabilities and resources, including personnel, the types of patients that the hospital is equipped to manage, and circumstances in which pregnant and postpartum patients should be transferred to a higher acuity healthcare facility.
“Our team is passionate about maternal health, and always seeking to go above and beyond,” said Zimmerman. “We’re always looking for new ways to create the best possible outcomes for mothers and their babies.”
Learn more about Hillsdale Hospital’s Bediako Birthing Center and Centering Pregnancy program at hillsdalehospital.com/obgyn.
