HCA Florida Fort Walton-Destin Hospital has been presented the 2022 Excellence for Maternal Care Awards from the Florida Department of Health and the Florida Agency for Health Care Administration. This award, given to 31 hospitals across the state, recognizes those facilities demonstrating a commitment to maternal health care and supporting health outcomes for mothers and newborns.
These awards recognize hospitals surpassing the Healthy People 2030 target goal of 23.6% for optimizing cesarean section rates among first-time mothers with low-risk pregnancies, known as the NTSV (Nulliparous, Term, Singleton, Vertex) cesarean birth rate.
"We are immensely proud of the recognition our hospital and care teams have received for excellence in maternal care," said Zachary McCluskey, CEO of HCA Florida Fort Walton-Destin Hospital. "This accolade reflects our unwavering commitment to improving the lives of mothers and newborns through innovative technology and a patient-focused approach to exceptional care."
“The exemplary performance of these hospitals demonstrates the commitment that HCA Florida Healthcare hospitals have to support mothers for successful births,” said Diana Moses, assistant vice president of women’s and children’s Services for HCA Healthcare. “The success of optimal NTSV C-section rates reflects the collaborative efforts of our nurses, providers and patients to realize the best outcome for mothers and babies.”
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that of the total number of cesarean births in 2019, 25.6% were among the NTSV population. Nationwide, nearly nine in 10 women who deliver via C-section with their first pregnancy have a C-section with subsequent pregnancies, increasing the risk of dangerous or long-term complications.
As one of the state’s largest network of healthcare providers, HCA Florida Healthcare offers patients access to the staff and resources needed to manage both routine and complex pregnancies. Providers use evidence-based practices and advanced technology, such as wireless fetal monitoring, to promote safe and efficient deliveries.
Each year, HCA Florida Healthcare, which includes more than 650 affiliated sites of care across the state, delivers more than 32,000 babies. Its team of board-certified obstetricians, certified nurse midwives and certified nurses understand family-centered care and provide quality support throughout the birthing process.
Other HCA Florida Healthcare hospitals honored with a 2022 Excellence for Maternal Care Award include:
• HCA Florida Lawnwood Hospital
• HCA Florida Memorial Hospital
• HCA Florida North Florida Hospital
• HCA Florida Oak Hill Hospital
• HCA Florida Orange Park Hospital
• HCA Florida Trinity Hospital
• HCA Florida West Hospital
• Oviedo Medical Center
• UCF Lake Nona Hospital