HCA Florida Fort Walton-Destin Hospital has received the 2022 Excellence for Maternal Care Award from the Florida Department of Health and the Florida Agency for Health Care Administration.
- The hospital was among 31 facilities statewide recognized for their commitment to maternal health care and supporting positive outcomes for mothers and newborns.
The award specifically acknowledges hospitals that surpassed the Healthy People 2030 target goal of 23.6% for optimizing cesarean section rates among first-time mothers with low-risk pregnancies.
“We are immensely proud of the recognition our hospital and care teams have received for excellence in maternal care,” said Zach McCluskey, CEO of HCA Florida Fort Walton-Destin Hospital. “This accolade reflects our unwavering commitment to improving the lives of mothers and newborns through innovative technology and a patient-focused approach to exceptional care.”
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that 25.6% of total cesarean births in 2019 were among the NTSV (Nulliparous, Term, Singleton, Vertex) population.
- Nearly nine in 10 women who have a C-section with their first pregnancy undergo the procedure in subsequent pregnancies, increasing the risk of complications, according to the hospital.
HCA Florida Healthcare, which includes more than 650 affiliated sites of care across the state, delivers over 32,000 babies annually. The healthcare network employs evidence-based practices and advanced technology, such as wireless fetal monitoring, to promote safe and efficient deliveries.
“The exemplary performance of these hospitals demonstrates the commitment that HCA Florida Healthcare hospitals have to support mothers for successful births,” said Diana Moses, assistant vice president of women’s and children’s Services for HCA Healthcare. “The success of optimal NTSV C-section rates reflects the collaborative efforts of our nurses, providers and patients to realize the best outcome for mothers and babies.”
For more information about HCA Florida Healthcare’s labor and delivery services, visit their website.
