SMH Earns Maternity Milestones

SMH-Sarasota recently achieved two major milestones in maternity care: earning the Level III Maternal Care Verification from the Joint Commission, and renewing its Baby-Friendly Hospital designation from Baby-Friendly USA.

The Joint Commission, in collaboration with the American College of Obstetrics, assess and verify a hospital’s maternal levels of care through a voluntary survey every three years.

Sarasota Memorial received the Level III verification for providing advanced care to low and moderate-risk pregnancies, as well as to high-risk patients, including subspecialty care for more complex maternal medical conditions, obstetric complications and fetal conditions.

Following a comprehensive on-site assessment, SMH-Sarasota also achieved re-designation as a Baby-Friendly Hospital. The international recognition spotlights hospitals that create a care environment and culture that supports mother-baby bonding, breastfeeding, and best practices in maternity care. The standards required by Baby-Friendly USA are built on evidence-based practices recommended by the World Health Organization and the United Nations Children’s Fund.

SMH-Sarasota was the first hospital on the Suncoast to earn the Baby-Friendly Hospital designation in 2017, and has successfully been re-designated for another five years. It remains the only hospital with the special recognition.

“We are proud to be recognized for not only providing exceptional maternity services, but also for our compassionate and skilled nursing team, breastfeeding support and high-risk pregnancy care,” said Pam Beitlich, executive director for Women and Children’s Services at Sarasota Memorial. “These achievements reflect our entire team’s commitment to providing the best possible care for mothers and babies in our community.”

Sarasota Memorial’s two campuses are the only hospitals delivering babies in Sarasota County, with more than 4,500 births in 2022. The health system offers a full range of maternity services, including an Obstetrical Emergency Care Center, the only Level III Neonatal Intensive Care Unit in the area, a team of board-certified specialists, and comprehensive education and support programs.