The Joint Commission’s Maternal Levels of Care (MLC) Verification program, offered in collaboration with the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), has named Colquitt Regional Medical Center as a Level II maternal care verified facility.
Colquitt Regional underwent a comprehensive on-site review on Oct. 5 to verify the level of care provided. During the on-site verification visit, the hospital’s capabilities related to maternity care were evaluated and compliance with Colquitt Regional’s policies were reviewed.
“Our Maternal Infant Unit team members have been diligently working towards this verification,” said Colquitt Regional President and CEO Jim Matney. “We have seen a steady increase in deliveries over the past few years and have added more providers to accommodate the growing need. This verification is a win not only for our hospital, but for our patients who may need an elevated level of maternal care.”
There are four possible levels of care that are assessed by The Joint Commission during the verification process – Level I: Basic Care, Level II: Specialty Care, Level III: Subspecialty Care, and Level IV: Regional Perinatal Health Care Centers.
As a Level II facility, Colquitt Regional has demonstrated it can care for all of Level I and Level II patients. Level I includes basic care for low to moderate-risk pregnancies, demonstrating the ability to detect, stabilize, and initiate management of unanticipated maternal-fetal or neonatal problems that occur during the antepartum, intrapartum, or postpartum period until the patient can be transferred to a facility at which the specialty maternal care is available. Level II denotes Level I, plus moderate- to high-risk antepartum, intrapartum, and postpartum conditions.
“The Joint Commission commends Colquitt Regional for being named a Level II 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 officer, The Joint Commission. “The Maternal Levels of Care Verification program will help Colquitt Regional strengthen regionalized care for mothers and babies in its community.”
The MLC 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. When complications arise, verification also confirms hospitals have agreements in place so the mother can be transferred to a higher-level facility with the appropriate level of care.
“Our team stays up-to-date on all of the latest safety measures, protocols, and procedures,” said Hospital Authority Chairman Richard E. Turner, Jr. “This Level II verification is proof that the team in the Maternal Infant Unit is equipped to provide the best care possible for all mothers.”
The MLC Verification program was developed using ACOG’s Levels of Maternal Care Obstetric Care Consensus (OCC) 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 The Joint Commission website.
