health mind and body

Far Rockaway hospital wins prize for perinatal care

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St. John’s Episcopal Hospital in Far Rockaway has received the New York State Perinatal Quality Collaborative Obstetrical Improvement Project’s Quality Improvement Award.

“This is the highest level of achievement possible for this project, and we commend your entire team for their exemplary work and commitment to this important cause,” said Marilyn Kacica, MD, MPH, Medical Director, Division of Family Health at the NYSDOH. “We hope staff at your facility will continue to focus on this area to ensure ongoing success.”

All of the obstetricians at St. John’s are board-certified, and the care they provide is complemented by a certified nurse-midwife. Numerous birthing options are available in the hospital’s six modern labor and delivery suites, including epidural anesthesia and natural childbirth. Birthing rooms include state-of-the-art electronic fetal monitoring (EFM), and the hospital requires that all labor and delivery staff maintain advanced certification in fetal heart rate monitoring and obstetrical management.

The hospital’s post-partum rooms are private and designed to promote bonding with the newborn. New mothers can choose to have their baby “room in” and each room has a sleeping chair for partners who wish to spend the night. Every room also comes with a private bathroom and shower. The Level II (special care) nursery, located on the same floor, accommodates up to 25 newborns and is staffed by registered nurses who are specially trained in newborn care.

St. John’s encourages breastfeeding, and a certified lactation consultant is available to educate, support and reassure new mothers. Breast pumps are available.

Tours of the maternity unit for expectant parents are offered regularly. There are also childbirth preparation classes led by a certified nurse educator. For registration and class schedules, or questions about tours, call 718-869-7276.

NYSPQC aims to provide the best and safest care for women and infants. Since 2010, the state health department has been collaborating with the state’s birthing facilities to improve and ensure the quality of obstetrical care, and infant health and safety.