The United Health Ministry Fund (UHMF) has awarded Hutchinson Regional Medical Center (HRMC) a High 5 for Mom and Baby designation, recognizing the hospital’s commitment to infant and maternal health. UHMF, headquartered in Hutchinson, funds and supports projects that enhance healthcare access, early childhood development, and healthy congregations for Kansans.
Jill White, Director for Patient Care Services at HRMC, said the High 5 for Mom and Baby annual award provides resources and a framework to help Kansas hospitals and birthing centers improve outcomes for breastfeeding women and their infants. “To be selected for this honor, each facility completes a voluntary and self-reported evaluation of at least five evidence-based practices,” White said. “Included in the list of practices is a requirement for hospitals to maintain staff competency in lactation support, assure immediate and sustained skin-to-skin contact between mother and baby following birth, practice ‘rooming,’ which allows mothers and infants to remain together 24-hours per day, and provide all family members with individualized infant feeding guidance and counseling.”
A UHMF spokesperson said the measures are designed to increase breastfeeding initiation and duration rates in Kansas. According to statistics from the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI), 60 percent of mothers stopped breastfeeding sooner than they had planned. Factors that influence how long or if a baby is breastfed include hospital practices, education and encouragement, and workplace and community policies and support.
Recognition as a High 5 for Mom and Baby facility includes on-going education and training opportunities, support, and resources though a community of delivery centers.
Ken Johnson, President and CEO of Hutchinson Regional Healthcare System, said the High 5 designation concretes the hospital staff’s reputation of providing the best in Perinatal service. “Jill White and her exemplary staff are committed to serving mothers, babies and family members with the highest quality care.”
Hutchinson Regional Medical Center is an entity of Hutchinson Regional Healthcare System. Other entities are Horizons Mental Health Center, Hospice & HomeCare of Reno County, Health-E-Quip and Hutchinson Regional Medical Foundation.
