ARTICLE
Medical Center designated as a Regional Perinatal Health Care Center Lakeland Regional Health Medical Center has been awarded Level IV maternal care verification, the highest designation, by The Joint Commission. The Level IV verification recognizes that the Medical Center can care for the most complex maternal conditions and critically ill pregnant women and newborns. As a Level IV maternal care verified facility, Lakeland Regional Health is designated by The Joint Commission a regional perinatal health care center – one with on-site maternal fetal medicine, intensive care, and a broad range of medical and surgical subspecialties to care for mothers and babies. Level IV health care centers also serve as regional resources, providing consultation and outreach to lower-level facilities. “We appreciate this recognition of the high level of maternal care we can provide patients at all stages of pregnancy,” said Lori Shea, Lakeland Regional Health associate vice president, Women’s and Children’s Services. “Our multidisciplinary team of physicians, advanced practitioners, nurses, and other professionals are dedicated to achieving better outcomes for mothers and babies in our community, and the Level IV verification exemplifies that commitment.” Lakeland Regional Health underwent a comprehensive on-site review to verify the level of care provided. During the on-site verification visit, the Medical Center’s capabilities related to maternity care were evaluated, and compliance with policies were reviewed. The verification program provides an objective assessment of a facility’s capabilities and verifies that a hospital has the expertise, equipment, and resources in place for a patient’s specific needs and risk level. “Joint Commission commends Lakeland Regional Health for being named a Level IV maternal care verified facility and for its efforts to standardize maternal care and reduce maternal morbidity and mortality,” says Ken Grubbs, DNP, MBA, RN, executive vice president of Accreditation and Certification Operations and chief nursing executive, Joint Commission. “The Maternal Levels of Care Verification program will help Lakeland Regional Health strengthen regionalized care for mothers and babies in its community.” The Joint Commission Maternal Levels of Care Verification program is offered in collaboration with the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG). The Maternal Levels of Care Verification program was developed using ACOG’s Levels of Maternal Care Obstetric Care Consensus clinical guidance, which includes comprehensive uniform definitions, a standardized description of maternity facility capabilities and personnel, and a framework for integrated systems that address maternal health needs. To learn more, visit Joint Commission’s website. ### About Lakeland Regional Health Not-for-profit Lakeland Regional Health reaches beyond its hospital walls to promote wellness, education, and discovery in new places and new ways, providing a wide range of inpatient and outpatient healthcare services at its Medical Center, Tampa General Cancer Institute | Lakeland Regional Health Hollis Cancer Center, and ambulatory care locations. Lakeland Regional Health earned Most Wired Advanced and Most Wired status 10 times since 2013 and has earned workplace awards from Forbes, Gallup, and Becker’s Hospital Review. Its 910-bed comprehensive tertiary referral hospital, Lakeland Regional Health Medical Center, operates the Jack and Tina Harrell Family Institute for Advanced Cardiovascular Medicine; a Level I Trauma Center; the Carol Jenkins Barnett Pavilion for Women and Children, which includes a Level III Neonatal Intensive Care Unit; the Bannasch Institute for Advanced Rehabilitation Medicine; and the Harrell Family Center for Behavioral Wellness.
Medical Center designated as a Regional Perinatal Health Care Center
Lakeland Regional Health Medical Center has been awarded Level IV maternal care verification, the highest designation, by The Joint Commission. The Level IV verification recognizes that the Medical Center can care for the most complex maternal conditions and critically ill pregnant women and newborns.
As a Level IV maternal care verified facility, Lakeland Regional Health is designated by The Joint Commission a regional perinatal health care center – one with on-site maternal fetal medicine, intensive care, and a broad range of medical and surgical subspecialties to care for mothers and babies. Level IV health care centers also serve as regional resources, providing consultation and outreach to lower-level facilities.
“We appreciate this recognition of the high level of maternal care we can provide patients at all stages of pregnancy,” said Lori Shea, Lakeland Regional Health associate vice president, Women’s and Children’s Services. “Our multidisciplinary team of physicians, advanced practitioners, nurses, and other professionals are dedicated to achieving better outcomes for mothers and babies in our community, and the Level IV verification exemplifies that commitment.”
Lakeland Regional Health underwent a comprehensive on-site review to verify the level of care provided. During the on-site verification visit, the Medical Center’s capabilities related to maternity care were evaluated, and compliance with policies were reviewed.
The verification program provides an objective assessment of a facility’s capabilities and verifies that a hospital has the expertise, equipment, and resources in place for a patient’s specific needs and risk level.
“Joint Commission commends Lakeland Regional Health for being named a Level IV maternal care verified facility and for its efforts to standardize maternal care and reduce maternal morbidity and mortality,” says Ken Grubbs, DNP, MBA, RN, executive vice president of Accreditation and Certification Operations and chief nursing executive, Joint Commission. “The Maternal Levels of Care Verification program will help Lakeland Regional Health strengthen regionalized care for mothers and babies in its community.”
The Joint Commission Maternal Levels of Care Verification program is offered in collaboration with the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG).
The Maternal Levels of Care Verification program was developed using ACOG’s Levels of Maternal Care Obstetric Care Consensus clinical guidance, which includes comprehensive uniform definitions, a standardized description of maternity facility capabilities and personnel, and a framework for integrated systems that address maternal health needs. To learn more, visit Joint Commission’s website.
###
About Lakeland Regional Health
Not-for-profit Lakeland Regional Health reaches beyond its hospital walls to promote wellness, education, and discovery in new places and new ways, providing a wide range of inpatient and outpatient healthcare services at its Medical Center, Tampa General Cancer Institute | Lakeland Regional Health Hollis Cancer Center, and ambulatory care locations. Lakeland Regional Health earned Most Wired Advanced and Most Wired status 10 times since 2013 and has earned workplace awards from Forbes, Gallup, and Becker’s Hospital Review. Its 910-bed comprehensive tertiary referral hospital, Lakeland Regional Health Medical Center, operates the Jack and Tina Harrell Family Institute for Advanced Cardiovascular Medicine; a Level I Trauma Center; the Carol Jenkins Barnett Pavilion for Women and Children, which includes a Level III Neonatal Intensive Care Unit; the Bannasch Institute for Advanced Rehabilitation Medicine; and the Harrell Family Center for Behavioral Wellness.