The Hospital of Central Connecticut (HOCC) has received U.S. News & World Report’s “High Performing in Maternity Care” award as part of the magazine’s annual “Best Hospitals” issue.
According to the magazine, U.S. News asked hospitals to provide data for various measures. Hospitals that scored well on multiple measures have been recognized as high performing. High performing hospitals had fewer early deliveries, fewer C-sections, and fewer newborn complications than other hospitals, and had higher rates of breast milk feeding.
The rankings are based on services and amenities provided to patients by the hospital. The services deemed important by the survey that HOCC provides, include:
- Childbirth Classes.
- Private Rooms or Suites.
- Partner May Stay Overnight Post-Delivery.
- Valet Parking.
- Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU).
- Immersive Tub Hydrotherapy During Labor.
- Breastfeeding and Lactation Consultants.
“The birth of a baby is one of the most special and life-changing events that an expecting mother and family will go through. The fact that HOCC’s long list of services is enhancing that experience even further, speaks to the dedication of our team of highly-skilled professionals,” said Gary Havican, President of The Hospital of Central Connecticut. “We are proud of all the work being done in the Family BirthPlace at HOCC and the positive impact it’s having on the communities we serve.”
The magazine noted that HOCC “delivers more babies than average” and doctors perform “fewer than 5 percent episiotomies,” which is considered good. HOCC “never or rarely schedules delivery earlier than recommended, and is excellent at minimizing avoidable C-sections. HOCC reported less than 23.9 percent of first-time, low-risk pregnancies at full term were delivered by Cesarean section.”
HOCC excelled at working with new moms to encourage breastfeeding, according to the magazine: “49.8 percent of babies were exclusively breastfed or fed breast milk during their hospital stay. The average in the Northeast is 45.6 percent and the national average is 51 percent.”
The magazine also noted that HOCC supports women who seek to have a Vaginal Birth After Cesarean (VBAC), and that newborn complications in full-term newborns with normal birthweight and no preexisting conditions were rare. The average rate at hospitals is 3.4 percent have complications, while at HOCC, 2.1 percent to 2.7 percent of lower-risk births reported complications.