By: Jennifer Stevens
Lufkin Texas (May 2, 2017) – Woodland Heights Medical Center today announced it has earned Perinatal Care Certification from The Joint Commission. The facility is one of only four in the state of Texas and 39 in the nation to receive this recognition. The certification program recognizes Joint Commission accredited hospitals committed to achieving integrated, coordinated and patient-centered care for mothers and their newborns.
Woodland Heights underwent a rigorous onsite review in March to assess its compliance with certification standards for perinatal care. During the review, Joint Commission experts completed an independent evaluation of Woodland Heights’ perinatal health careservices, 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
“Achieving Perinatal Care Certification recognizes an organization’s commitment to healthy mothers and healthy babies,” said Patrick Phelan, executive director, Hospital Business Development, The Joint Commission. “The certification gives providers an unparalleled advantage when it comes to preparing mothers for labor and delivery, while also being able to help them if complications arise.”
“We are honored to receive Perinatal Care Certification from The Joint Commission, the premier health care quality improvement and accrediting body in the nation,” added Kyle Swift, CEO of Woodland Heights. “By achieving this certification, we are focused on ongoing quality-improvement processes to improve care for mothers and newborns.”
Established in 2015, Perinatal Care Certification is awarded for a two-year period to Joint Commission-accredited hospitals.
About Woodland Heights Medical Center
Established in 1918, Woodland Heights Medical Center was Lufkin’s first hospital. Now, more than nine decades later, Woodland Heights is recognized throughout Deep East Texas as the leading provider of high quality, innovative health care services. Accommodating a wide range of clinical specialties, Woodland Heights has achieved excellence in key medical and surgical areas including cardiology, pulmonology, neurology, orthopedic surgery, physical medicine/rehabilitation, vascular surgery and obstetrics and gynecology. Woodland Heights also offers a full range of outpatient diagnostic services including advanced imaging, laboratory, outpatient surgery and emergency services. Through its Rehabilitation Center, Woodland Heights offers cardiac rehabilitation, stroke recovery and physical and occupational rehabilitation. The facility also houses the only Level 2 Neonatal Intensive Care Unit in the deep East Texas area. Woodland Heights is directly or indirectly owned by a partnership that proudly includes physician owners, including certain members of the hospital’s medical staff. Combining modern facilities, leading technology, an exceptional staff and a commitment to the communities it serves, Woodland Heights Medical Center remains at the forefront of quality health care in Deep East Texas.