Kaiser Permanente Maternity Care Rated Among Best In The Nation

Kaiser Permanente Northern California hospitals are among the best in the nation for providing exceptional maternity care, according to Newsweek magazine’s “Best Maternity Hospitals 2020” report.

Whether helping parents navigate pregnancy safely or ensuring new moms recover more quickly after a cesarean birth, 12 Northern California Medical Centers earned top marks for providing safe, high-quality care to moms and their babies. Last year, 43,507 babies were delivered at Kaiser Permanente Northern California hospitals.

The following Kaiser Permanente hospitals received the “Best Maternity Hospitals 2020” designation: Antioch, Fresno, Modesto, Redwood City, Roseville, San Jose, Santa Clara, Santa Rosa, South Sacramento, Vacaville, Vallejo and Walnut Creek.

The national designation, awarded to only 231 hospitals in the United States, identifies leading maternity care programs that have met or exceeded rigorous quality and safety standards. Kaiser Permanente has a total of 22 hospitals in the nation that received the elite designation, representing nearly 10% of those named to the prestigious list– and nearly 50% of those listed in California.

“This report recognizes our South Sacramento Medical Center and other Kaiser Permanente hospitals for exceptional care to mothers, babies, and families. It’s care that we have been proud to provide families since we began offering maternity services in 1993,” said Trish Rodriguez, senior vice president and area manager for Kaiser Permanente South Sacramento. “We are honored to receive this recognition.”

“Nearly 3,000 babies are delivered and cared for each year by our expert Labor & Delivery and Perinatal teams and we are proud of the compassionate and skilled care they provide,” said Peter Miles, MD, physician in chief, Kaiser Permanente South Sacramento.

Kaiser Permanente Northern California hospitals have been a leader in providing innovative approaches to maternal care, including our Supporting Vaginal Birth Program that resulted in marked decreases in cesarean birth for first-time moms, and the Enhanced Recovery After Surgery Program, which helps new mothers recover more quickly after delivering by caesarean section with improved pain control without the use of narcotics and early mobility. A focus on breastfeeding is also integral to Kaiser Permanente’s maternity care, which has proven health benefits for both baby and mom.

Newsweek’s Best Maternity Care Hospitals demonstrate the highest performance in the United States as verified by the 2019 Leapfrog Hospital Survey. Designated hospitals meet Leapfrog’s rigorous standards for excellence in maternity care — including low rates of C-section, episiotomy (an incision to enlarge the vaginal opening for childbirth), and early elective delivery — and follow important protocols to protect moms and babies, among other measures. Additionally, all of the hospitals named earned either an A or B on the Spring 2020 Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade.

For more detail on methodology and a complete list of designated maternity care programs, visit Newsweek’s “Best Maternity Care Hospitals 2020.”