Kaiser Redwood City Maternity Care Among best in U.S.: Newsweek

Kaiser Permanente Redwood City is among the twelve KP Northern California hospitals named 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 recognition reflects our on-going commitment to providing high-quality maternity care,” said Sheila Gilson, senior vice president and area manager at Kaiser Permanente Redwood City. “We’re very proud that our maternity care program is ranked among the best in the United States, as shown by 2019 Leapfrog Hospital Survey results and the “Best Maternity Hospitals 2020” designation.”

“In addition to providing high quality patient care, we pride ourselves in giving exceptional individualized care to our expecting mothers through our 24/7 Midwifery care program,” said Grace Firtch, MD, physician-in-chief Kaiser Permanente Redwood City. “This recognition is a testament to the exceptional clinical care that our physicians and staff provide to our patients each day.”

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.

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

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