INDIANAPOLIS, Indiana
– When Ava Bentley became the first baby born in Marion County on New Year’s
Day, she was being cared for at a hospital on the brink of earning national accolades
for its maternity care.
Franciscan St. Francis
Health-Indianapolis recently was recognized as a Blue Distinction Center for Maternity
Care® by Blue Cross Blue Shield Association. This distinction means the
hospital met nationally established criteria by demonstrating expertise in
delivering quality specialty care, safely and effectively.
The Blue Distinction program focuses on both
vaginal and cesarean delivery treatment provided by acute care inpatient
facilities, routine obstetrical services and follow-up care. Further, it is an important tool for helping Blue members make better
informed decisions about where to seek specialty care.
“This
designation validates the phenomenal work of our women’s health providers and
their ongoing commitment to deliver the highest level of care to our patients,”
said James Callaghan, MD, president and CEO. “We are proud of this
achievement.”
Nearly 48,000 infants have been born at
Franciscan St. Francis Health since 1995, when the Women & Children’s Center (WCC) was consolidated at the 8111 S. Emerson
Ave. campus.
Meanwhile, the $37 million expansion and
renovation of the Women & Children’s Center is nearing completion and fully
opening this spring, with a public grand opening celebration scheduled from 11
a.m. to 2 p.m., Saturday, April 30. Among the project additions now open to
patients:
·
Wellness
Suite: Massage therapy, acupuncture, maternal fetal medicine/genetic
counseling, and pelvic health and rehabilitation and genetics.
·
Neonatal
Intensive Care Unit: This renovation added 24 private suites. It is the only
Level III NICU in south-central Indiana.
·
Post Partum
and Newborn Nursery Unit: Our new, 34-suite unit is
built on the principle of providing exceptional patient care in a
family-friendly environment, where mom, dad and baby can room together.
