Murrells Inlet hospital is 1st in SC, 2nd in US for advanced perinatal care certification
A Murrells Inlet hospital is the first in South Carolina and the second hospital in the US to earn an advanced certification in perinatal care.
Tidelands Waccamaw Community Hospital received the certification on March 17 after a review and a two-day visit by The Joint Commission. The national certification helps raise the level for patient-centered care for mothers and newborns.
The Joint Commission, which accredits hospitals across the nation, partnered with the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists to help organizations “address the growing need for appropriate obstetrical care amid ongoing increases in the national maternal mortality rate,” a press release sent Tuesday said
The number of women who died of maternal causes in the U.S. in 2021 was 1,205, according to the most recent data from the U.S. National Center for Health Statistics released by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention earlier this month. That compares with 861 deaths in 2020 and 754 in 2019, according to Tidelands Health.
What the certification means
The certification means that Tidelands Waccamaw provides integrated care through every stage of pregnancy through delivery. According to the release, the hospital addresses patients’ social needs and focuses on high-risk areas for mothers, such as mental health disorders and substance abuse.
“The advanced certification in perinatal care from The Joint Commission is a testament to the expert care and coordinated approach we take with every patient,” Jonella Davis, vice president of operations at Tidelands Health, said in the release. “Our skilled professionals offer high-quality, compassionate care through every stage of pregnancy and delivery.”
Tidelands Health also sponsors educational and outreach programs, such as childbirth classes, a prenatal education series, a monthly breastfeeding support group, lactation education sessions and more, to help mothers maintain good health for themselves and their newborns, according to the release.
A decade ago, Tidelands Waccamaw earned a “Baby-Friendly” designation from the World Health Organization and UNICEF. The designation recognizes hospitals that offer optimal care for mothers and their babies.
Last year, Tidelands Waccamaw expanded its labor and delivery unit with the addition of more delivery rooms and a dedicated surgical suite for cesarean sections, according to the release.