St. Francis Recognized for Higher Quality in Maternity Care
St. Francis Designated a Blue Distinction Center for Maternity Care by Blue Cross/Blue Shield of LA
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana has recognized St. Francis Medical Center with a Blue Distinction® Center for Maternity Care designation as part of the Blue Distinction Specialty Care program. Blue Distinction Centers are nationally designated hospitals that show expertise in delivering improved patient safety and better health outcomes, based on objective measures that were developed with input from the medical community.
“We are proud to be recognized by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana for meeting the rigorous Blue Distinction Center quality selection criteria for maternity care set by the Blue Distinction Specialty Care program,” said Kristin Wolkart, President & CEO of St. Francis Medical Center.
Nearly four million babies are born in the U.S. annually, making childbirth the most common cause of hospitalization, and cesarean sections the most common operating room procedures, according to National Centers for Health Statistics and the Agency for Health care Research & Quality (AHRQ). Reducing early elective delivery is an area of focus for the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) and the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). According to Health Affairs, elective inductions result in more cesarean deliveries and a longer maternal hospitalization. The Blue Distinction Centers for Maternity Care program evaluates hospitals on quality measures for vaginal and cesarean delivery.
More than 1,500 babies are delivered at St. Francis Medical Center each year. Through an association with providers at Woman’s Hospital in Baton Rouge, St. Francis offers a Maternal Fetal Medicine Clinic for high-risk expectant mothers, as well as the only Level III OB Unit in the region. Additionally, St. Francis offers the only Level III Neonatal Intensive Care Unit in Northeast Louisiana to care for newborns needing specialized care. St. Francis is a GIFT (Guided Infant Feeding Techniques) Certified Facility by the Louisiana Maternal and Child Health Coalition and the Louisiana Perinatal Commission, offers two International Board Certified Lactation Consultants to assist families with breastfeeding, and was recognized in 2014 as a Louisiana Safe Sleep Champion Hospital by the Louisiana Department of Health & Hospitals – Office of Public Health – Bureau of Family Health. St. Francis offers a host of prenatal classes, most of which are free to attend.
Blue Cross and Blue Shield (BCBS) companies across the nation have recognized more than 1,000 hospitals as Blue Distinction Centers for Maternity Care. Hospitals recognized with this designation are assessed using a combination of quality information supplied by hospitals and cost measures derived from BCBS companies’ medical claims.
Since 2006, the Blue Distinction Specialty Care program has helped patients find quality specialty care in the areas of bariatric surgery, cancer care, cardiac care, maternity care, knee and hip replacements, spine surgery and transplants, while encouraging health care professionals to improve the care they deliver. Research shows that, compared to other hospitals, those designated as Blue Distinction Centers demonstrate better quality and improved outcomes for patients.
For more information about the program and for a complete listing of the designated facilities, please visit www.bcbs.com/bluedistinction.
About St. Francis Medical Center
From a modest beginning in July 1913 as a three-story red brick building with 75 patient beds, St. Francis Medical Center has grown to become Northeast Louisiana’s largest healthcare provider and one of the largest employers in Ouachita Parish. Today, St. Francis Medical Center is licensed for 345 beds, employs over 1,600 team members and partners with over 300 medical staff members. Our mission of extending the healing ministry of Jesus Christ to those most in need reaches out to 17 parishes in Louisiana and three counties in Arkansas, an area with a population exceeding 515,000 people. St. Francis Medical Center is part of the Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady Health System.
About Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana
Founded in New Orleans in 1934, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana is a tax-paying nonprofit health insurer. We are a private mutual company, owned by our policyholders, with an independent Louisiana Board of Directors and no shareholders. Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association.
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana is committed to our mission to improve the health and lives of Louisianians. Headquartered in Baton Rouge, we have eight regional offices to serve our customers around the state. We invite all Louisianians to visit our website at www.BCBSLA.com or talk to us on social media.
About Blue Cross Blue Shield Association
The Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association is a national federation of 36 independent, community-based and locally operated Blue Cross and Blue Shield companies that collectively provide health care coverage for one in three Americans. BCBSA provides health care insights through The Health of America Report series and the national BCBS Health Index. For more information on BCBSA and its member companies, please visit www.BCBS.com. We also encourage you to connect with us on Facebook, check out our videos on YouTube, follow us on Twitter and check out our blog.
About Blue Distinction Centers
Blue Distinction Centers (BDC) met overall quality measures for patient safety and outcomes, developed with input from the medical community. A Local Blue Plan may require additional criteria for providers located in its own service area; for details, contact your Local Blue Plan. Blue Distinction Centers+ (BDC+) also met cost measures that address consumers’ need for affordable health care. Each provider’s cost of care is evaluated using data from its Local Blue Plan. Providers in CA, ID, NY, PA, and WA may lie in two Local Blue Plans’ areas, resulting in two evaluations for cost of care; and their own Local Blue Plans decide whether one or both cost of care evaluation(s) must meet BDC+ national criteria. National criteria for BDC and BDC+ are displayed on www.BCBS.com. Individual outcomes may vary. For details on a provider’s in-network status or your own policy’s coverage, contact your Local Blue Plan and ask your provider before making an appointment. Neither Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association nor any Blue Plans are responsible for non-covered charges or other losses or damages resulting from Blue Distinction or other provider finder information or care received from Blue Distinction or other providers. <br
About the Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady Health System
The Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady Health System is one of the largest healthcare systems based in Louisiana and is the leading healthcare provider for more than half the state’s population. The health system is a non-profit, Catholic organization sponsored by the Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady. Headquartered in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, the ministry serves patients in Louisiana and Mississippi through a network of hospitals, clinics, physicians and integrated health systems. The health system’s unified physician organization is comprised of more than 1,100 adult and pediatric primary care physicians and specialists. The system’s nine main campus hospitals include St. Francis Medical Center in Monroe, Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center in Baton Rouge and Gonzales, Our Lady of the Lake Children’s Hospital in Baton Rouge, Our Lady of Lourdes Regional Medical Center, Heart Hospital, and Women's & Children's Hospital in Lafayette, Our Lady of the Angels in Bogalusa, and St. Dominic Hospital in Jackson, Mississippi. For more information, visit fmolhs.org.
About Our Lady of the Lake Health
Our Lady of the Lake Health is a not-for-profit Catholic healthcare ministry based in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, with more than 7,500 employees committed to serving the Capital Region and building a healthy community through excellence in patient care and education. With an 800-bed Regional Medical Center, a dedicated Children’s Hospital, a 78-bed hospital in Gonzales, Louisiana, two freestanding emergency rooms in outlying parishes, and a 600+ provider Physician Group, Our Lady of the Lake Health provides comprehensive healthcare services for common to complex conditions. Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center is a primary teaching site for graduate medical education programs in partnership with LSU, and is recognized in the areas of heart and vascular, trauma and emergency care, stroke, cancer care, minimally invasive procedures, and more. Our Lady of the Lake is part of the Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady Health System and is driven by its mission to serve all God’s people, especially those most in need. For more information, visit ololrmc.com.
About Our Lady of the Lake Physician Group
With 600-plus healthcare providers across more than 100 locations, Our Lady of the Lake Physician Group is the area’s largest physician network. In addition to primary care, this experienced group of doctors specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of a broad range of illnesses and complex medical problems. Video visits, same-day appointments and online scheduling make receiving the care you need more convenient. Visit ololphysiciangroup.com to learn more.
About Our Lady of the Lake Children’s Health
Our Lady of the Lake Children’s Health is a collaborative, coordinated, and child-focused health network that provides patients with more access to physicians and providers specifically trained to care for children. The network includes hospital-based services at the main campus of Our Lady of the Lake Children's Hospital in Baton Rouge, as well as St. Francis Pediatrics in Monroe, Our Lady of Lourdes Women's and Children's Hospital in Lafayette and Our Lady of the Lake Children’s Health Bogalusa. It also connects pediatricians, pediatric specialists and other health providers across our state with clinics in the Baton Rouge region, Hammond, Lake Charles, Lafayette and Monroe. This model of coordinated pediatric healthcare extends vital resources into more communities across Louisiana so families have greater access to expertise close to home. For more information, visit ololchildrens.org.
About Our Lady of the Lake Children’s Health
Our Lady of the Lake Children’s Health is a collaborative, coordinated, and child-focused health network that provides patients with more access to physicians and providers specifically trained to care for children. The network includes hospital-based services at the main campus of Our Lady of the Lake Children's Hospital in Baton Rouge, as well as St. Francis Pediatrics in Monroe, Our Lady of Lourdes Women's and Children's Hospital in Lafayette and Our Lady of the Lake Children’s Health Bogalusa. It also connects pediatricians, pediatric specialists and other health providers across our state with clinics in the Baton Rouge region, Hammond, Lake Charles, Lafayette and Monroe. This model of coordinated pediatric healthcare extends vital resources into more communities across Louisiana so families have greater access to expertise close to home. For more information, visit ololchildrens.org.
About McMains Children’s Developmental Center
McMains Children’s Developmental Center is a nonprofit, outpatient pediatric therapy clinic serving Greater Baton Rouge and surrounding parishes since 1954. The mission of McMains Children’s Developmental Center is to advance the quality of life for children and their families by providing physical, developmental, academic, and communication services. Services of McMains Children’s Developmental Center include speech and language therapy, occupational therapy, physical therapy, educational therapy, assistive technology assessment and training, psychological services, pro bono orthopedic clinic, learning disability evaluations, social work, and family programs. www.mcmainscdc.org
About St. Elizabeth Physicians
St. Elizabeth Physicians is the largest provider of primary and specialty care in Ascension Parish, employing over 50 primary care physicians, specialists and providers. St. Elizabeth Physicians has been recognized for quality by the Louisiana Quality Foundation, and as the Large Business of the Year twice by the Ascension Chamber of Commerce. For more information, visit the St. Elizabeth Hospital website.
About St. Francis Health
St. Francis Health is a not-for-profit Catholic healthcare ministry based in Monroe, Louisiana, with more than 1,800 team members committed to caring for those we serve. With a 328-bed medical center, acute-care hospital, freestanding outpatient center, over 20 outpatient clinics and nearly 350 physician partners, for more than 100 years, St. Francis has provided comprehensive healthcare services for a variety of medical and surgical specialties. St. Francis offers Northeast Louisiana’s only Level 3 NICU, Level 3 OB and Level 2 PICU services. St. Francis Medical Center leads the region in heart and vascular services, critical care, and complex and minimally invasive surgical procedures. The hospital offers a designated Level 3 Trauma Program, Graduate Medical Education Program, Accredited Chest Pain Center, and Centers of Excellence in the areas of obstetrics, bariatric surgery, robotic surgery, minimally invasive gynecology, and breast health. St. Francis is part of the Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady Health System and is driven by its mission to serve all God’s people, especially those most in need. For more information, visit
stfran.com.
About St. Francis Medical Group
With over 50 healthcare providers at 16 clinic locations, St. Francis Medical Group is one of the area’s largest physician networks and is backed by the resources of St. Francis Medical Center. In addition to primary care, this experienced group of providers specializes in diagnosis and treatment of a broad range of illnesses and complex medical problems. For more information visit the St. Francis Medical Center website.
About Our Lady of the Angels Health
Our Lady of the Angels Health in Bogalusa, Louisiana, has a team of more than 500 employees committed to building a healthier community through excellence in patient care and community education. With a full-service acute care hospital, more than a dozen primary and specialty clinics, extended primary care and pediatric hours, and a team of more than 300 credentialed providers, Our Lady of the Angels provides comprehensive Catholic healthcare services for the people of Washington Parish and the surrounding areas. Our Lady of the Angels is a teaching site for graduate medical education, in partnership with LSU Health—operating the only rurally located rural family medicine residency program in Louisiana and one of only 55 in the nation. Our Lady of the Angels is part of the Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady Health System and is driven by its mission to serve all of God’s people, especially those most in need. For more information, visit www.oloah.org.
About Our Lady of Lourdes Health
Founded by the Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady in 1949, Our Lady of Lourdes Health is a not–for–profit Catholic healthcare ministry based in Lafayette, Louisiana. With a regional acute care medical center that employs more than 2,800 people, Our Lady of Lourdes Health offers a physician staff of over 850 doctors in a variety of medical and surgical specialties. Lourdes’ services include Centers of Excellence in the areas of Orthopedics, Stroke and a Robotic Surgery Program. Lourdes is home to the only burn unit in Southwest Louisiana and a Commission on Cancer-accredited oncology program. Our Lady of Lourdes operates Our Lady of Lourdes Heart Hospital, a premier 32-bed cardiac facility, and Our Lady of Lourdes Women’s & Children’s Hospital, offering the area’s only Pediatric Intensive Care Unit and Level III Surgical Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. With additional services including multiple clinics, four imaging locations and a primary care physician network, Lourdes provides easy access to comprehensive care throughout the community. Our Lady of Lourdes is part of the Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady Health System and is driven by its mission to serve all God’s people, especially those most in need. Discover more at LourdesRMC.com.
About Our Lady of Lourdes Physician Group
Lourdes Physician Group includes over 100 providers in more than 20 specialties, including cancer prevention, diagnosis and treatment, cardiology, family medicine, pediatrics, and surgery. Additionally, Our Lady of Lourdes Women’s & Children’s Hospital is connected to more than 300 pediatric specialists serving our region’s specialized pediatric care needs, such as emergency medicine, endocrinology, neurology, neurosurgery, orthopedics, head and neck, and general surgery. With locations throughout Acadiana, world-class primary and specialty care is available within minutes. Video visits, same-day appointments and online scheduling make receiving the care you need more convenient. Call (337) 470-GoMD (4663) or visit LourdesRMC.com to schedule an appointment and discover more.
About Our Lady of Lourdes Women's & Children's Hospital
Our Lady of Lourdes Women’s & Children’s Hospital, founded in 1983, continues its tradition of providing specialized healthcare services for Acadiana’s women and children. The hospital is one of the largest birthing centers in the state with an array of women’s and children’s services. Our Lady of Lourdes Women’s & Children’s, home to Acadiana’s only Level III Surgical NICU and the area’s only Pediatric Intensive Care Unit. We provide a full spectrum of comprehensive pediatric services with access to more than 300 pediatric specialists to serve our region’s need for specialized pediatric care. Discover more at LourdesRMC.com.
About Our Lady of Lourdes Children's Health
Our Lady of Lourdes Children’s Health is part of a collaborative, coordinated, and child-focused health network that provides patients with more access to physicians and providers specifically trained to care for children. The network includes hospital-based services at the main campus of Our Lady of Lourdes Women’s & Children's Hospital in Lafayette as well as Our Lady of the Lake Children’s Hospital in Baton Rouge, St. Francis Pediatrics in Monroe and Our Lady of the Lake Children’s Health Bogalusa. It also connects pediatricians, pediatric specialists and other health providers across our state with clinics across the Acadiana region, Baton Rouge, Hammond, Lake Charles, and Monroe. This model of coordinated pediatric healthcare extends vital resources into more communities across Louisiana so families have greater access to expertise close to home. Discover more at LourdesRMC.com.
About St. Dominic's Hospital
St. Dominic Hospital is a 571-bed tertiary care hospital located in Jackson, Mississippi, serving all of central Mississippi and employing approximately 3,000 team members including nurses, physicians and skilled caregivers. The medical staff of nearly 500 leading physicians and specialists makes St. Dominic’s one of the most comprehensive hospitals in Mississippi. Through more than seven decades, St. Dominic’s has remained true to its vision. We are a Christian healing community called to provide quality, compassionate care and an exceptional experience every time. St. Dominic’s is part of the Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady Health System and is driven by its mission to serve all God’s people, especially those most in need. Learn more at stdom.com.
About St. Dominic's Health Services
St. Dominic Health is more than just a hospital. It is a family of services focused on fulfilling a mission of Christian healing to those in need. St. Dominic Health Services, Inc. is the parent company for a large group of subsidiary organizations and programs dedicated to the same mission. These include St. Dominic Hospital, the Community Health Services Clinic, St. Dominic Medical Associates (physician network), New Directions for Over 55, MEA Clinics, The Club at St. Dominic’s, the School Nurse Program, St. Dominic’s Foundation, St. Catherine’s Village and Care-A-Van. Learn more at stdom.com.
