Onslow Memo­r­i­al Hos­pi­tal Des­ig­nat­ed Blue Dis­tinc­tion Cen­ter+ for Mater­ni­ty Care

ONSLOW COUNTY, N.C - Onslow Memorial Hospital (OMH) is proud to announce that it has received the Blue Cross Blue Shield Blue Distinction Center+ (BDC+) for Maternity Care award for 2020. This marks OMH’s fifth consecutive year receiving the honor, after being recognized first in 2016. The Blue Distinction Center+ for Maternity Care award recognizes healthcare facilities with maternity care services for their expertise in delivering specialty care.

“We are so proud of our hospital and our Women’s and Children’s team for earning this designation for the fifth consecutive year,” said OMH President and CEO, Dr. Penney Burlingame Deal, DHA, RN, FACHE. “Their passion and dedication to the families in our community are what made this possible. Each baby born at OMH is special to us and we are committed to providing them excellent care.”

Hospitals who receive the Blue Distinction Center+ for Maternity Care are evaluated by a specific set of criteria focused on quality, cost, access, and value of care. This includes receiving accreditation by a national organization such as The Joint Commission, the use of a patient satisfaction-rating tool such as HCAHPS, and ongoing education for staff.

“We are proud to receive this recognition for offering high-quality, affordable health care to our moms and babies,” said Allison McCarson, Director of Women’s and Children’s Services at OMH. “We have worked hard to implement nationally adopted safety measures for safe maternal care, collaborating with experts in the OB field both regionally and statewide. Our staff stay up to date with the latest evidence and recommendations through review of research-based policy, skill enhancement, and emergency drills.”

OMH delivers over 1,400 babies a year and is ready to assist patients every step of the way with board certified obstetricians and neonatologists, neonatal nurse practitioners, certified nurse midwives, lactation specialists, and experienced nursing staff. In addition to routine birth care, OMH offers two additional levels of care for babies who need comprehensive monitoring or critical care, including a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). OMH also supports midwifery services and has a laborist program that ensures the safety and well-being of our expecting mothers throughout their experience in our labor and delivery unit. The Women’s and Children’s floor will be undergoing an exciting renovation in 2021, which is funded by the Building for Babies Campaign orchestrated by the Onslow Memorial Foundation.

“Congratulations to OMH for receiving the Blue Cross Distinction+ for Maternity Care,” said Regina Lanier, Chief Nursing Officer. “This annual award is recognized on a national level as an indicator of quality. Thank you to the Maternal Child team for the daily commitment to quality that is evidenced by five successive award presentations.”