CARIBOU, Maine — Cary Medical Center has been named as one of America’s Best Hospitals for Obstetrics by the Women’s Choice Award, signifying the hospital is in the top 17 percent of 2,720 U.S. hospitals offering obstetrics.
The methodology for the America’s Best Hospitals for Obstetrics combines national accreditations, Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (HCAHPS) survey results and hospital outcome scores with primary research about women’s healthcare preferences. It is the only award recognizing excellence in obstetric services based on robust criteria that consider patient satisfaction and clinical excellence.
The America’s Best Hospitals for Obstetrics distinction is based on the following specific criteria: the percentage of patients reporting through the HCAHPS survey that they would definitely recommend the hospital; patient safety ranking based on 11 Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services’ measures of infection and complication rates; low rates of early elective deliveries (between 0-1percent); and the Baby-Friendly USA designation, a World Health Organization (WHO)/United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) initiative to support best practices for breastfeeding education and counseling.
Cary Medical Center is one of 452 award recipients representing the hospitals that have met the highest standards for obstetrics across the U.S.
Kris Doody, RN, Cary CEO, said the Women’s Choice Award is particularly impressive because it recognizes the hospital in multiple areas.
“This is the fifth time and the fourth year in a row that we have earned this recognition,” said Doody. “To be that consistent and to have women and their families give such high rankings for their experience at the hospital and to satisfy the many patient safety and clinical quality elements demanded by outside reviewers, demonstrates the level of teamwork, focus and commitment not only of our OB staff but of the entire organization.”
Doody continued, “We are so proud of our Maternal and Child care professionals at Cary and our partnership with Pines Health Service’s Center for Women and Children’s Health. Together we have carried on a tradition of excellence and continue to make having your baby at our hospital a magical experience.”
“Pregnancy is one of the most special times in a woman’s life,” said Delia Passi, founder and CEO of the Women’s Choice Award. “Our award gives a woman the confidence that her choice of a hospital for her delivery will be the best in terms of quality care and patient safety for her and her baby. As the trend of women waiting longer to start their families continues, having the Women’s Choice Award seal is especially important for older moms who face increased risk and need a top hospital to provide her care.”
