U.S. News & World Report has released a list of the best hospitals for obstetric care in New Jersey.
Thirty-two hospitals in the state were listed as “outstanding” hospitals for meeting high standards in caring for parents with uncomplicated pregnancies. The site’s analysis shows that these hospitals have lower rates of unanticipated neonatal complications, fewer C-sections, better programs to promote successful breastfeeding, and higher rates of births by race and ethnicity. They are likely to track and report on outcomes, an important step in addressing disparities.
The hospital did not rank beyond receiving a “high performance” mark.
Maternal health is a major concern in the United States, especially given the recent surge in infant mortality. The national infant mortality rate will rise 3% in 2022, the largest increase in the past 20 years, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. This rate will remain unchanged in 2023, with the national infant mortality rate per 1,000 live births being 5.60, while Massachusetts had the lowest infant mortality rate at 3.3, followed by New Jersey at 3.6 in 2023. there were.
Last year, nearly 1 in 10 New Jersey children were born prematurely, putting them at risk for developmental delays, health problems and death, according to the March of Dimes Report on Maternal and Child Health released last month. It became clear that Of this group, 14% were Pacific Islander, 13.1% were Black, 9.9% were Hispanic, 9.7% were American Indian/Alaska Native, 8.7% were Asian, and 7.9% were White.
This is the second year that U.S. News has recognized hospitals serving communities with limited or no access to life-saving care as Maternity Care Access Hospitals. These hospitals provide care to expectant parents who otherwise would not have access to maternity care and serve communities that are maternity care deserts. The report identified 118 of these hospitals.
U.S. News also published for the first time a measure of labor and delivery representation by race and ethnicity, which shows how a hospital’s patient population compares to the demographics of the surrounding community. The site’s analysis found that less than 40% of the “best hospitals for obstetric care” (just 160 of 414) had a non-white patient population equal to or greater than their community.
The maternity hospitals listed are listed in alphabetical order.
AtlantiCare Regional Medical Center – Atlantic City CampusCapital Health Medical Center – HopewellCentrastate Medical CenterChilton Medical CenterClara Mars Medical CenterCommunity Medical Center – Toms RiverCooper University Healthcare – CamdenCooperman Barnabas Medical CenterEnglewood HospitalHackensack University Medical CenterJefferson Health – Stratford, Cherry Hill, Washington TownshipJersey City Medical CenterJersey Shore University Medical CenterJFK University Medical CenterMonmouth Medical Centermorristown medical centerNewark Beth Israel Medical Centernewton medical centerMarine University Medical CenterOverlook Medical CenterPalisades Medical CenterRaritan Bay Medical CenterRiverview Medical CenterRobert Wood Johnson University HospitalRobert Wood Johnson University Hospital SomersetSouthern Ocean Medical CenterSt. Clare’s Denville HospitalSt. Peter’s University HospitalTrinitas Regional Medical CenterVirtua Mount Holly HospitalVirtual Our Lady of Lourdes HospitalVirtua Voorhees Hospital
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Contact Jackie Roman at jroman@njadvancemedia.com.
