SSM Health St. Agnes Hospital earns birth friendly designation

SSM Health St. Agnes Hospital has earned a Birth Friendly designation through the Wisconsin Association of Perinatal Care (WAPC) Quality Collaborative, recognizing the hospital’s commitment to providing high-quality, evidence-based care for mothers and babies. The achievement reflects the dedication of the hospital’s multidisciplinary maternity care team.

The designation was awarded following a comprehensive review process conducted by WAPC earlier this year. According to Loraine Carley, RN, SSM Health St. Agnes Hospital Women’s Health: Inpatient OB/GYN manager, the hospital proactively pursued the designation as part of its ongoing commitment to excellence in maternal care.

“At SSM Health St. Agnes Hospital, our priority is ensuring that every mother and baby receives the safest, highest-quality care possible,” Carley says. “Achieving this designation was the right thing to do for our patients. This process allowed us to evaluate and strengthen our practices while highlighting the exceptional care our team provides every day.”

The WAPC review team, which included obstetricians, gynecologists, pediatricians, and other maternal health experts, evaluated the hospital’s policies, clinical practices, and commitment to quality improvement. The team was highly impressed by the processes and care standards in place at SSM Health St. Agnes Hospital, leading to the Birth Friendly designation.

“This recognition is a testament to the collaboration and dedication of our entire maternity care team,” Carley shares. “From physicians and nurses to support staff and specialists, everyone plays an important role in creating a safe, supportive environment for mothers and babies. We are honored to receive this designation and proud of the work that made it possible.”

The designation is one of several quality improvement initiatives SSM Health St. Agnes Hospital has undertaken in partnership with WAPC. Over the past year, the hospital successfully completed the Substance Use Disorders of Pregnancy Quality Collaborative and is currently participating in the Sepsis Sprint in Pregnancy initiative, both aimed at improving outcomes for mothers and infants.

“Continuous improvement is at the heart of what we do,” according to Carley. “Whether we’re addressing substance use disorders in pregnancy, improving sepsis recognition and treatment, or pursuing designations like Birth Friendly, our focus remains on providing the safest and best possible experience for every family we serve.”

The Birth Friendly designation further reinforces SSM Health St. Agnes Hospital’s commitment to advancing maternal and infant health through evidence-based practices, multidisciplinary collaboration, and a culture of continuous quality improvement.