Department of Obstetrics/Gynecology and Division of Neonatology at NYC Health + Hospitals/Lincoln Awarded Perinatal Care Certification from the Joint Commission
Lincoln is the first hospital in the health system and the first hospital in the South Bronx to receive the certification Certification builds on NYC/Health + Hospitals and the City's commitment to improving maternal and infant health
Apr 26, 2019
NYC Health + Hospitals/Lincoln today announced that its Department of Obstetrics/Gynecology and Division of Neonatology had achieved Perinatal Care Certification by The Joint Commission. The Joint Commission accredits and certifies nearly 21,000 health care organizations and programs in the United States, and its accreditation standards ensure a hospital’s commitment to meeting certain performance standards. NYC Health + Hospitals/Lincoln is the first in the public hospital system and first in the south Bronx to receive this honor. The certification recognizes Lincoln’s rigorous commitment to maternal and infant health. Further, it recognizes the hospital’s dedication to achieving integrated, coordinated and patient-centered care for newborns, mothers and families. Improving maternal health has been a central focus of NYC Health + Hospitals and the de Blasio administration, and this effort builds on the efforts undertaken by NYC Health + Hospitals to ensure safe maternity care at all its hospitals.
“NYC Health + Hospitals/Lincoln is pleased to receive Perinatal Care Certification from The Joint Commission,” said Milton Nuñez, CEO of NYC Health + Hospitals/Lincoln. “This reconfirms our commitment to provide exceptional care to all families in the communities we serve.” Lincoln was also the first in the Bronx to receive Baby-Friendly designation in 2015.
“Certification is a great accomplishment for the team and demonstrates their unwavering commitment towards excellence in the delivery of patient care services,” said Lillian Diaz, RN, Chief Nursing Officer at NYC Health + Hospitals/Lincoln.
“I am proud of my team and the hard work they continue to do to be ready for any issue our patients may have,” said Dr. Carmen Sultana, Chair of Obstetrics/Gynecology. “They also focus on providing a great experience for the normal patient, and the best possible outcomes for others.”
“This has been one of my proudest moments while working at Lincoln Hospital. This Perinatal Care Certification validated what we knew all along. The Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology and the Division of Neonatology work as one to ensure the best outcomes for mothers and babies at Lincoln Hospital,” said Dr. Ronald Bainbridge, Director of Neonatology.
“I want to congratulate NYC Health + Hospitals/Lincoln for becoming the first hospital in the South Bronx to receive the coveted Perinatal Care Certification by the Joint Commission,” said State Senator Gustavo Rivera, Chair of the Senate Health Committee. “This well-earned accreditation speaks volumes to the exceptional care this hospital is providing to new families in The Bronx and to its critical commitment to improving our State’s maternal and infant health outcomes.”
“This well-deserved certification recognizes H+H’s steadfast commitment to maternal health,” said Assembly Health Committee Chair Richard N. Gottfried. “H+H continues to be a leader in ensuring accessible, culturally competent care for all New Yorkers.”
NYC Health + Hospitals/Lincoln underwent a rigorous onsite review in October to assess its compliance with certification standards for perinatal care. During the review, Joint Commission experts completed an independent evaluation of the hospital’s perinatal health care services, as well as the following key requirements:
- Integrated, coordinated patient-centered care that starts with prenatal and continues through postpartum care
- Early identification of high-risk pregnancies and births
- Management of mothers’ and newborns’ risks at a level corresponding to the program’s capabilities
- Available patient education and information about perinatal care services
NYC Health + Hospitals/Lincoln uses the Perinatal Care standards of the American Congress of OB/GYN and the American Academy of Pediatrics as well as The Joint Commission’s perinatal care core performance measures for managing and monitoring aspects of perinatal care that are critical to improving and maintaining the health of newborns and their mothers. As a part of the review, the Joint Commission documents that all clinical teams are strong, connected and collaborative within the hospital’s Obstetrics Department and Neonatology Division, and the plan of care for mother, baby and family comes from communications with all relevant departments. To minimize the risk of adverse events occurring during labor and delivery, the plan and processes of care are updated regularly for any eventuality.
As part of the effort to improve maternal health, Lincoln regularly engages in emergency drills to sharpen competencies for emergency situations on the unit. Staff are required to obtain an Obstetrics Advanced Certification in Life Safety, in addition to participating in performance improvement activities, such as surgical site infection best practices and participating in a project to improve communications among the clinical staff called, “Leveling Up of C Section by Labor and Delivery.” Other performance improvement activities have been focused on hemorrhage, pregnancy induced hypertension and neonatal resuscitation practices. The Neonatal intensive Care Unit has focused on the prevention of an infection in newborns associated with IV placement.