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LMH Earns Best Hospitals For Maternity Care Recognition

LMH Earns Best Hospitals For Maternity Care Recognition Licking Memorial Hospital (LMH) has been recognized as one of the Best Hospitals for Maternity Care by Money and The Leapfrog Group. To compile the list, Money partnered with The Leapfrog Group to collect and publish the data on safety and quality of care from voluntary surveys and other sources.  LMH is one of three Ohio hospitals on the list.  The Leapfrog Group is an independent national nonprofit organization that compares hospitals’ safety performance to assist consumers in making informed decisions about their health and access safe, high-value care.
 
To qualify for the list of Best Hospitals for Maternity Care, eligible hospitals were required to obtain an “A” or “B” letter grade on the Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade assessment for spring 2022.  LMH has earned an “A” grade since 2016.  Hospitals were also required to meet national performance measure standards for safety, quality, and efficiency that are specific to maternity care.
 
The criteria included achieving Leapfrog’s standards for early elective deliveries, cesarean births, performed episiotomies, preventing blood clots in women undergoing cesarean section, and screening newborns for jaundice.  A low rate of early elective deliveries and cesarean births performed without a medical reason is preferred due to the risks of complications from such procedures.  Once a routine practice in childbirth, current medical guidelines urge against the routine use of episiotomy, due to the risk for perineal tears, loss of bladder or bowel control, and pelvic floor defects.  Implementing preventive measures for blood clots and jaundice is strongly recommended for the best outcome for the mother and child.