Carteret Health Awarded Advanced Certification in Prenatal Care

Carteret Health Care has earned The Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval^® for Advanced Certification in Perinatal Care (ACPC) by demonstrating continuous compliance with its performance standards. The Gold Seal is a symbol of quality that reflects a health care organization’s commitment to providing safe and quality patient care. Carteret Health Care is one of two North Carolina hospitals to earn this award.

The certification recognizes Carteret Health Care’s efforts to achieve integrated, coordinated and patient-centered prenatal through postpartum care, including for both complicated and uncomplicated pregnancies. The certification uses standards, guidelines and The Joint Commission’s perinatal care measure set for managing and monitoring aspects of perinatal care that are critical to improving and maintaining the health of newborns and their mothers.

“We take immense pride in this achievement, as it truly reflects our unwavering dedication and commitment to delivering the highest quality perinatal care to our community's patients,” Kyle Marek, Carteret Health President shared. “This certification further demonstrates the expert care our exceptional team provides every day.”

Carteret Health Care’s Brady Birthing Center underwent a rigorous, unannounced onsite review on August 8 and 9. During the visit, a team of Joint Commission reviewers evaluated compliance with related certification standards. Joint Commission standards are developed in consultation with health care experts and providers, measurement experts and patients. The reviewers also conducted onsite observations and interviews.

The Brady Birthing Center welcomes more than 750 newborns each year and features six birthing suites and nine postpartum rooms both decorated with a home-like environment. While focused on bonding and early breastfeeding, Carteret Health encourages skin to skin including C-section mothers who may choose a clear drape during delivery.

“Advanced Certification in Perinatal Care recognizes healthcare organizations committed to striving for excellence and fostering continuous improvement in patient safety and quality of care,” says Ken Grubbs, DNP, MBA, RN, executive vice president of Accreditation and Certification Operations and chief nursing officer, The Joint Commission. “We commend Carteret Health Care for using The Joint Commission certification process to reduce variation in clinical processes and to strengthen its clinical program to drive safer, higher quality and more compassionate care for individuals served.”

While offering a wide range of obstetrical services and physician providers, Carteret Health Care cares for mothers during every phase of their pregnancy — and after delivery. The Brady Birthing Center is also recognized as a North Carolina Breastfeeding Friendly Hospital, a Safe Sleep Champion by Cribs for Kids, a Best Hospital for Maternity Care by Money and The Leapfrog Group and Top 7% of America’s Best Hospitals for Obstetrics by the Women’s Choice Award.

For more information, please visit The Joint Commission website.

For more information on the Birthing Center, visit www.CarteretHealth.org.