St. Francis Hospital-Mooresville lauded by state for hepatitis B procedures

MOORESVILLE, Ind. – Cherished Beginnings, the obstetrical and newborn unit at St. Francis Hospital-Mooresville, has been recognized by the Indiana State Department of Health for its efforts to eliminate perinatal hepatitis B transmission from mothers to their infants.

The unit earned the Gold Level Award by achieving a 100 percent hepatitis B vaccine birth-dose administration rate. To qualify for the award, Cherished Beginnings was required to have standing orders and written policies outlining steps medical staff take from the time of patients’ admission until their discharge.

Additionally, the hospital was cited for having detailed standing orders and policies born to hepatitis B mothers.

Hepatitis B is a blood-borne virus that can attack and seriously damage the liver and can be fatal. The virus can be transmitted from mothers to infants during birthing. An effective vaccine is administered to babies after their delivery.

Cherished Beginnings provides obstetrical and newborn care to women and their babies. The unit provides care to low- and moderate-risk women with a level 2 special care nursery. For more information about the unit, go to http://www.stfrancishospitals.org/Index.aspx?tabindex=0&tabid=1.