The two rooms offer a more home-like setting and will be ideal for a natural or midwife-assisted delivery, as well as for those who may be expecting the loss of their infant.

The $266,000 project was funded through the Norton Healthcare Foundation with support from donors including the Merrilee Kullman Living Trust.

“We know that many patients would like a more holistic experience for childbirth — but with the safety net of a hospital,” said Gigi L. Girard, M.D.,  OB/GYN and executive medical director of women’s services for Norton Medical Group. “Helping make childbirth more of an experience as opposed to a hospital stay is very important to us.”

These new rooms offer additional space for a family as well as more natural light, enhancing that experience. They are available to anyone coming to deliver at the hospital on a first-come, first-served basis.

All 19 labor and delivery rooms offer natural childbirth options and other services that patients have requested over the years. These include availability of a labor tub, birthing balls, birthing stools, nitrous oxide for pain management, showers and wireless monitors that allow a patient to move around more freely during labor. The hospital has board-certified lactation consultants, including one dedicated to labor and delivery to help patients begin breastfeeding within one hour after birth. This practice has been shown to increase breastfeeding success.

“We’re excited to bring this new option to patients and are grateful to the donors who have made it possible,” said Lynnie Meyer, R.N., Ed.D., FAHP, CFRE, senior vice president and chief development officer, Norton Healthcare. “Just imagine the number of new families who will be touched by these spaces and how it will help them welcome their new little ones into the world.”

Norton Women’s Care, which has locations at Norton Women’s & Children’s Hospital and Norton Hospital, has been recognized as High Performing in Adult Maternity Care (Uncomplicated Pregnancy) by U.S. News & World Report for three consecutive years. It is the only provider in Kentucky to receive the award all three years, and the only in Louisville to receive it for 2023-2024. The designation is the highest award a hospital system can earn in the U.S. News list of Best Hospitals for Maternity Care.

In 2023, Norton Women’s & Children’s Hospital set a new record of delivering 6,446 babies, beating 2022’s count of 6,325. More babies are born at Norton Women’s & Children’s Hospital than any other hospital in Kentucky.

Caregivers at Norton Healthcare’s two Norton Women’s Care birthing locations deliver more than 8,600 babies a year. While many of those deliveries are uncomplicated, Norton Women’s Care also specializes in high-risk pregnancies and deliveries, with a specialty maternal-fetal medicine program and connection to specialists in two neonatal intensive care units. A Level IV NICU at Norton Children’s Hospital offers the highest level of care to critically ill and premature infants. A Level III NICU is at Norton Women’s & Children’s Hospital.

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Norton Healthcare’s Guardian of Excellence Award signifies the organization being in the top 1% of health care providers in delivering a positive consumer experience. The award measured performance from Jan. 1, 2020, to March 31, 2023, on 10 key indicators, including ability to answer questions, time spent with a patient, thoroughness of exam and clarity of instructions. The Norton Women’s & Children’s Hospital Pinnacle of Excellence Award ranks the facility in the top 5% of health care providers in delivering patient experience over a minimum of three consecutive years. It looks at patients’ overall experience and likelihood to recommend the provider, as well as teamwork.

“As an organization, we are committed to creating great human interactions while providing high-quality, compassionate care,” said Russell F. Cox, president and CEO, Norton Healthcare. “These awards affirm the efforts of our teams in making that commitment a reality and remind us there is no limit to what our care can do.”

Press Ganey works with more than 41,000 health care facilities on initiatives to improve the overall safety, quality and experience of care.

“This award symbolizes Norton Healthcare’s commitment to raising the bar for health care standards, inspiring a culture of continuous improvement and innovation across the human experience,” said Patrick T. Ryan, CEO and chair, Press Ganey. “It underscores the importance of placing patients, health care professionals and industry partners at the core of our work, fostering a future where exceptional health care experiences are not just goals, but tangible achievements.”

“Norton Women’s & Children’s Hospital demonstrates the transformative power of patient-centered care, positive employee experiences and effective clinical outcomes,” Ryan said. “By prioritizing both their employees and the communities they serve to raise health care experiences, Norton Women’s & Children’s Hospital sets the standard for compassionate health care.”

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The U.S. News Best Hospitals for Maternity Care methodology is based on objective measures of quality around outcomes, process and structure. To be ranked as high performing, hospitals and health systems need to score significantly higher than average on eight quality measures. These are low number of avoidable cesarean sections, rare newborn complications, rare/never scheduled early deliveries, episiotomy rates less than 5%, tracking and reporting race- and ethnicity-specific performance measures, strong breastfeeding rate and high support of vaginal birth after cesarean delivery. The survey also looked at whether a hospital meets federal criteria for “birthing-friendly” practices.

Of the 680 hospitals in the country that submitted information for evaluation by U.S. News & World Report, only 311 were ranked high performing.

“The goal of our Norton Women’s Care team is to provide all patients with a safe place for childbirth,” said Mary L. Schubert, DNP, MSN, NEA-BC, FAWHONN, system vice president, women’s services, Norton Healthcare. “This means looking at physical needs during pregnancy, childbirth and beyond, while also treating everyone with dignity and providing compassionate care.”

“Hospitals that receive a High Performing designation as part of Best Hospitals for Maternity Care meet a high standard in caring for parents with uncomplicated pregnancies,” said Jennifer Winston, health data scientist, U.S. News. “These hospitals have C-section rates that are 26% lower and newborn complication rates that are 37% lower than unrecognized hospitals that participated in the survey. Parents-to-be can research their local hospitals’ performance metrics for free at health.usnews.com to help them choose where to have their baby.”

“Receiving this High Performing award for the third time shows that our care matches our high standards,” Schubert said.

Caregivers at Norton Healthcare’s two Norton Women’s Care birthing locations deliver more than 8,000 babies a year. While many of those deliveries are uncomplicated, Norton Women’s Care also specializes in high-risk deliveries, with a specialty maternal-fetal medicine program and connection to specialists in two neonatal intensive care units. A Level IV NICU at Norton Children’s Hospital offers the highest level of care to critically ill and premature infants. A Level III NICU is at Norton Women’s & Children’s Hospital.

Norton Healthcare ranks as High Performing for eight other procedures and conditions: heart attack, heart failure, aortic valve surgery, heart bypass surgery, stroke, prostate cancer surgery, hip replacement and knee replacement.

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What kind of support does a chaplain provide?

Chaplains mainly provide informed emotional and spiritual support, regardless of faith or belief. Visiting patients and families, while also lending support to our employees throughout the hospital, is a big part of my daily routine. We are available to serve as a calming presence for emergency care situations, too, like codes or traumas. We’ll meet with you in facility chapels or at the bedside, or simply be someone to lean on anywhere when you need an honest, caring, judgment-free conversation, prayer or a silent partner. We help patients, families and staff through end-of-life decisions and advance directives, such as living wills. I think we are reliable, strong leaders and advocates.

What led you to become a chaplain?

I was 40 when God called me to become a chaplain. At the time, I worked for United Crescent Hill Ministries (UCHM) as their interim development director. A friend of mine that I met through UCHM asked me to attend a death and dying seminar with her. By the end of that presentation, I heard God’s calling on my life, and I knew I wanted to become a chaplain to learn how to support and serve people through difficult times. I enrolled in seminary, completed clinical pastoral education and then excitedly began the next chapter of my life with Norton Healthcare, the same organization that provided my training. From seminary to employment, it was about a five-year journey.

What can employees take away from interactions with our chaplains?

Staff care is of the utmost importance to me. I always tell the employees I encounter: We’re always here. Patients and families go home but we’re here together every day, and I’ll do whatever I can to support you in good times and bad. Whether you want to connect to discuss faith, or you need someone to talk to about personal or family matters, I and my colleagues are here to serve you. I hope that anyone who connects with a chaplain, employee or otherwise, comes away hopeful, feeling heard and cared for.

Do chaplains offer nonreligious support?

Yes! Even if people don’t follow a specific religion or denomination, I believe everybody has a spiritual bend on some level. It may just not fit in a particular category. In our assessments, chaplains focus on the person’s individual needs, hopes and resources, mutually finding ways to care that resonate. Similarly, I think we work toward offering culturally-sensitive pastoral care that’s inclusive of all faiths. Whether someone identifies with a certain set of beliefs or not, it’s all about meeting people where they are and offering space to find hope and meaning.

What’s the most rewarding part of your work?

Meeting with someone one on one, listening to them, giving them space to speak their truth and coaching them on how to find their own answers. I think it means more when an idea or solution comes from within. My former clinical pastoral education supervisor says that we already have within us what we need, but sometimes we need help accessing our strengths or skills. I’m just one puzzle piece in the healing process, but it feels really good to be a part of that process.

How do you like to spend your time outside of work?

I love being outside taking care of my garden. Family is incredibly important to me, so if I’m not visiting my sisters or parents, I’m calling or texting to keep in touch. Spending time with my husband, his siblings and my dogs brings me great joy. My husband can sense when I’m having a hard day, so he often tells me one of his corny jokes, which always makes me laugh.

Chaplains are available 24/7 for support. Call (502) 629-8000 and let the operator know you’re calling to speak to a chaplain.

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Norton Audubon Hospital, Norton Brownsboro Hospital, and Norton Hospital all are recognized for ACC Chest Pain Center with Primary PCI accreditation; Norton Women’s & Children’s Hospital is recognized as an ACC Chest Pain Center. Norton Healthcare has the most facilities across the city of Louisville with the ability treat a life-threatening heart attack.

“This accreditation is based on national standards ensuring patients receive specific treatment in a timely manner, a task that takes teamwork across multiple areas of the hospital — including the emergency department, radiology, cardiac catheterization, laboratory and many more,” said Joseph A. Lash, M.D., cardiologist and medical director of Norton Heart & Vascular Institute and Rounsavall Family Foundation endowed chair. “Achieving this accreditation is a testament to the entire team both within the Norton Heart & Vascular Institute, but also at each of the hospitals.”

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), more than 730,000 Americans experience a heart attack each year. The most common symptom of a heart attack is chest pain or discomfort. However, women are more likely to have atypical symptoms. Other heart attack symptoms include, but are not limited to, tingling or discomfort in one or both arms, back, shoulder, neck or jaw, shortness of breath, cold sweats, unusual tiredness, heartburn-like feeling, nausea or vomiting, sudden dizziness, and fainting.

Hospitals that have earned ACC Chest Pain Center with Primary PCI Accreditation have proven exceptional competency in treating patients with heart attack symptoms and have primary PCI available 24/7 every day of the year. Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is also known as coronary angioplasty. It is a nonsurgical procedure that opens narrowed or blocked coronary arteries with a balloon to relieve symptoms of heart disease or reduce heart damage during or after a heart attack.

As required to meet the criteria of the accreditation designation, these hospitals comply with standard Chest Pain Center protocols.  These facilities also maintain a “no diversion policy” for out-of-hospital cardiac arrest patients.

Hospitals receiving Chest Pain Center with Primary PCI and Resuscitation Accreditation from the ACC must take part in a multifacetedclinical process that involves: completing a gap analysis, examining variances of care, developing an action plan, a rigorous on-site review and monitoring for sustained success. Improved methods and strategies of caring for patients include streamlining processes, implementing guidelines and standards, and adopting best practices in the care of patients experiencing the signs and symptoms of a heart attack. Facilities that achieve accreditation meet or exceed an array of stringent criteria and have organized a team of doctors, nurses, clinicians and other administrative staff that earnestly supports the efforts leading to better patient education and improved patient outcomes.

Norton Heart & Vascular Institute is the area’s leading provider of cardiovascular care, from general cardiology to subspecialty care that includes vascular surgery, thoracic surgery, cardiac surgery, electrophysiology, advanced heart failure, structural cardiology and interventional cardiology.

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This is the seventh consecutive period (fall 2019, spring 2020, fall 2020, spring 2021, fall 2021, spring 2022 and fall 2022) that the four hospitals have received an “A” grade.

The Leapfrog Group, an independent national watchdog organization, assigns an “A,” “B,” “C,” “D” or “F” grade to general hospitals across the country based on more than 30 national performance measures reflecting errors, accidents, injuries and infections, as well as systems that hospitals have in place to prevent harm.

“By working together and keeping the safety of our patients — and each other — at the center of all they do, Norton Healthcare’s employees consistently do the hard work that is necessary to receive ‘A’ Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grades,” said Russell F. Cox, president and CEO, Norton Healthcare. “Our talented and dedicated providers and caregivers consistently deliver safe, high-quality care to our patients. In addition, numerous team members throughout the organization provide essential support and resources critical in today’s complex health care environment. Seven consecutive ‘A’ grades is no small feat, and I am honored to lead this exceptional team.”

The Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade is the only hospital ratings program based exclusively on hospital prevention of medical errors and harm to patients. The grading system is peer-reviewed, fully transparent and free to the public.

Developed under the guidance of a national expert panel, the Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade uses publicly available hospital safety data to assign grades to more than 2,700 U.S. acute-care hospitals twice per year, in the fall and spring.

To see full grade details for each of Norton Healthcare’s four Louisville adult-service hospitals and get patient tips for staying safe in the hospital, visit HospitalSafetyGrade.org and follow The Leapfrog Group on Twitter and Facebook.

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To be recognized among the Best Hospitals for Maternity Care, hospitals had to excel on multiple quality metrics that matter to expectant families, including complication rates, cesarean sections, whether births were scheduled too early in pregnancy and how successfully each hospital supported breastfeeding. Only one-third of the hospitals evaluated by U.S. News for maternity care earned a “High Performing” rating, the highest rating for this type of care. Participation in the survey was voluntary.

Unique to the U.S. News site, participating hospital profiles are a “one-stop shop” and include a variety of relevant offerings for parents-to-be, including key measures of safety along with services and amenities, such as private rooms, valet parking and availability of child birthing classes.

“Our goal at Norton Women’s Care is to provide our patients with a childbirth experience that is  safe and meets all of their health needs,” said Mary L. Schubert, DNP, NEA-BC, system vice president, women’s services, Norton Healthcare. “This includes our vision to look at the whole patient’s health, treat everyone with dignity, provide compassionate care and support health both during pregnancy and well into the future.

“We’re pleased to see that U.S. News & World Report has given us a High Performing rating, as it affirms all of the data we continually review to ensure the care we deliver is up to our high standards.”

Caregivers at Norton Healthcare’s two Norton Women’s Care locations deliver more than 8,000 babies a year. While many of those deliveries are uncomplicated, Norton Women’s Care also specializes in high-risk deliveries, with a specialty maternal-fetal medicine program and connection to specialists in two neonatal intensive care units. The Level IV NICU at Norton Children’s Hospital offers the highest level of care to critically ill and premature infants. A second NICU at Norton Women’s & Children’s Hospital is Level III.

Norton Healthcare is ranked as High Performing for eight procedures and conditions: heart attack, heart failure, diabetes, kidney failure, stroke, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and hip and knee replacement.

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The Leapfrog Group is an independent national watchdog organization committed to health care quality and safety. The Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade assigns an “A,” “B,” “C,” “D” or “F” grade to all general hospitals across the country and is updated every six months. It is the only hospital ratings program based exclusively on hospitals’ prevention of medical errors and other harm to patients in their care.

“The hard work of our dedicated providers and employees, who consistently strive to deliver safe, high-quality care to our patients, is the reason each of our adult-service hospitals continue to get this ‘A’ ranking,” said Russell F. Cox, president and CEO, Norton Healthcare. “The past two years have been a challenge for everyone working in health care. I am incredibly proud of our team, who continues to keep the safety of our patients — and each other — at the center of all they do.”

“An ‘A’ safety grade is a tremendous achievement, of which this community should be extremely proud,” said Leah Binder, president and CEO, The Leapfrog Group. “I thank the leadership and workforce of Norton Healthcare for its commitment to prioritizing patients and their safety, especially during these trying times.”

Developed under the guidance of a national expert panel, the Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade uses up to 27 measures of publicly available hospital safety data to assign grades to more than 2,700 U.S. acute-care hospitals twice per year. The Hospital Safety Grade’s methodology is peer-reviewed and fully transparent, and the results are free to the public.

To see full grade details for each of Norton Healthcare’s four adult-service hospitals and get patient tips for staying safe in the hospital, visit HospitalSafetyGrade.org and follow The Leapfrog Group on Twitter and Facebook.

The post Norton Healthcare’s four adult-service hospitals once again nationally recognized with an ‘A’ for the fall 2021 Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade appeared first on Norton Healthcare.

“Traditionally, doulas employed by hospitals have served as birth coaches and postpartum support, but our new program will expand the role,” said Mary L. Schubert, DNP, MSN, system vice president, women’s services, Norton Healthcare. “Eligible patients will have someone who can help reduce the impacts of social determinants of health, as well as reduce the risks for pregnancy loss, health complications and even death.”

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, as part of its Healthy People 2030 initiative to improve health and well-being, has listed social determinants of health as part of its five goals. These are conditions in a person’s environment that lead to risks and outcomes related to health and quality of life.

“Doulas are uniquely qualified to assist in identifying and reducing some social determinants of health, serving as educators, advisers and even medical translators for pregnant patients both in providers’ offices and in homes,” said Melissa S. Redick, director of provider operations, Norton Medical Group. “It goes beyond actual care and to other issues.”

In addition to providing physical, emotional and partner support, these doulas will be able to connect patients with resources to assist with access to healthy food, transportation to and from provider visits, housing and legal issues.

According to a 2021 report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Black patients are two and a half times more likely to die from a pregnancy-related cause than white women. Women of color are disproportionally at risk for high blood pressure and diabetes, which can lead to issues with pregnancy and childbirth, including swelling of the heart and blood clots.

“To improve maternal health and well-being in this community, we must further improve care for women of color,” Schubert said.

This new program will include several home visits throughout the patient’s pregnancy and the period after delivery. Eligible patients must live in the California, Portland or Russell neighborhood, and will receive additional prenatal care through Norton OB/GYN Associates and Norton Women’s Specialists downtown practices, with babies delivered at Norton Hospital. Initially, the program will employ three doulas.

“Aetna Better Health of Kentucky is excited to begin this journey with the Norton Children’s Hospital Foundation,” said Paige Mankovich, chief operating officer, Aetna Better Health of Kentucky. “We are committed to supporting our communities by aligning our resources to help address critical health needs.

“Partners like Norton Healthcare make initiatives like this new doula program not only possible, but effective. We appreciate the passion they are bringing to the creation of this program and look forward to this program helping pregnant women in West Louisville.”

“We know that the health of a mother has an effect on the health of the baby, so this also will help improve infant health,” said Lecresha Sewell, APRN, a nurse practitioner with Norton Women’s Care who helped design the doula program. “And by following the patient after childbirth, a doula can help detect many complications that may occur in what we refer to as ‘the fourth trimester.’ Early detection is essential to improve health outcomes.”

“We expect this program to complement the obstetrics services we already offer in downtown Louisville, improving the entire pregnancy, childbirth and early parenthood experience,” said Cara L. Bland, regional practice manager, Norton Medical Group. “Ultimately, the goal is to improve the long-term health of our new moms.”

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The Leapfrog Group is an independent national watchdog organization committed to health care quality and safety. The Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade assigns an “A,” “B,” “C,” “D” or “F” grade to all general hospitals across the country and is updated every six months. It is the only hospital ratings program based exclusively on hospitals’ prevention of medical errors and other harm to patients in their care.

“The hard work of our dedicated providers and employees, who consistently strive to deliver safe, high-quality care to our patients, is the reason each of our adult-service hospitals continue to get this ‘A’ ranking,” said Russell F. Cox, president and CEO, Norton Healthcare. “The past year has been a challenge for everyone in health care, but our team continues to put the safety of our patients – and each other – first when our community needs us the most.”

“An ‘A’ safety grade is an elite designation that your community should be proud of,” said Leah Binder, president and CEO of The Leapfrog Group. “The past year has been extraordinarily difficult for hospitals, but Norton Healthcare shows us it is possible to keep a laser focus on patients and their safety, no matter what it takes.”

Developed under the guidance of a national expert panel, the Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade uses up to 27 measures of publicly available hospital safety data to assign grades to more than 2,700 U.S. acute-care hospitals twice per year. The Hospital Safety Grade’s methodology is peer-reviewed and fully transparent, and the results are free to the public.

To see full grade details for each of Norton Healthcare’s four adult-service hospitals and access patient tips for staying safe in the hospital, visit HospitalSafetyGrade.org and follow The Leapfrog Group on Twitter and Facebook.

*Pediatric hospitals are not rated by The Leapfrog Group.

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