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June 2, 2023 – 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 Baptist Health South Miami Hospital a Level IV maternal care verified facility.

As a Level IV facility, South Miami Hospital is a Regional Perinatal Health Care Center with the capability to care for the most complex maternal conditions and critically ill pregnant women and fetuses.

South Miami Hospital underwent a comprehensive on-site review to verify the level of care provided. During the verification visit, the hospital’s capabilities related to maternity care were evaluated and compliance with the hospital’s policies were reviewed.

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. Verification also confirms that hospitals have agreements in place when complications arise to transfer a mother to a higher-level facility with the appropriate level of care.

“South Miami Hospital remains committed to improving maternal health outcomes,” said Bill Duquette, South Miami Hospital CEO. “The Joint Commission’s verification offers validation that our highly skilled team provides the highest level of obstetrics care available to expectant mothers, including the most complicated cases.”

South Miami Hospital’s multidisciplinary patient care team rounds the unit’s high-risk antepartum patients and a hospital-wide rapid response team, called “Code Crimson,” responds to patients experiencing signs and symptoms of a maternal hemorrhage. This team is supported around the clock by key departments such as anesthesia, respiratory, radiology, ultrasound, laboratory and blood bank services. South Miami Hospital also has the capability to accept maternal transports from lower levels of care for unanticipated high-risk pregnancies. These patients are co-managed by a board-certified maternal fetal medicine physician.

“The Joint Commission commends South Miami Hospital for being named a Level IV maternal care verified facility and for its efforts to standardize maternal care and reduce maternal morbidity and mortality,” said Deborah Ryan, MS, R.N., interim executive vice president, Accreditation and Certification Operations, The Joint Commission. “The Maternal Levels of Care Verification program will help South Miami Hospital strengthen regionalized care for mothers and babies in its community.”

The MLC Verification program was developed using ACOG’s Levels of Maternal Care Obstetric Care Consensus 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.

About Baptist Health South Florida

Baptist Health South Florida is the largest healthcare organization in the region, with 12 hospitals, more than 27,000 employees, 4,000 physicians and 200 outpatient centers, urgent care facilities and physician practices spanning across Miami-Dade, Monroe, Broward and Palm Beach counties. Baptist Health has internationally renowned centers of excellence in cancer, cardiovascular care, orthopedics and sports medicine, and neurosciences. In addition, it includes Baptist Health Medical Group; Baptist Health Quality Network; and Baptist Health Care On Demand, a virtual health platform. A not-for-profit organization supported by philanthropy and committed to its faith-based charitable mission of medical excellence, Baptist Health has been recognized by Fortune as one of the 100 Best Companies to Work For in America and by Ethisphere as one of the World’s Most Ethical Companies. For more information, visit BaptistHealth.net/Newsroom and connect with us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and LinkedIn.