Baylor Medical Center at McKinney has taken a giant step towards improving the health of newborns and infants by earning the Texas Ten Step Program facility designation from the Texas Department of State Health Services.
The Texas Ten Step Program encourages breastfeeding as the preferred method of feeding for newborns and infants. Baylor McKinney joins a growing number of Texas birth facilities that are supporting new mothers and their decision to breastfeed.
"We have worked very hard to earn the Texas Ten Step designation," said Debra Maitre, Director of Women’s and Infant’s Services, Baylor Medical Center at McKinney. "We are proud to join the other select Texas facilities in promoting breastfeeding to our new mothers."
Based on the World Health Organization (WHO)/ UNICEF’s Ten Steps to Successful Breastfeeding, the program aims to assist birth facility’s support of breastfeeding mothers before, during, and after delivery; encourages them to identify breastfeeding resources for the mother after she is discharged; and assists facilities in improving on national performance measures such as the Centers for Disease Control’s (CDC) Breastfeeding Report Card. The goal of the Texas Ten Step Program is to have 82 percent of infants exclusively breastfeeding when discharged.
Texas Ten Step facilities are asked to address 85% of the Ten Steps to Successful Breastfeeding, be designated as a Texas Mother-Friendly Worksite, evaluate their breastfeeding policies, maternity care practices and educate all healthcare staff routinely with evidence-based courses.
Since opening its doors in July 2012, Baylor McKinney has had more than 1,785 births, including 22 sets of twins. And in January of 2013, Baylor McKinney was also chosen to join a pioneering group of hospitals to take part in a five-year quality improvement project designed to improve facility environments to better support a mother's choice to breastfeed.
Baylor McKinney also offers a Level III Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) – the highest level of care available – providing advanced life-support services and technologies for premature and seriously ill newborns. In addition, it is the only hospital in Collin County and the first in Baylor Health Care System that features private NICU suites that allow parents to stay with their newborn around the clock.
For more information on the Texas Ten Step Program, visit their web site at www.texastenstep.org. For information on maternity services at Baylor McKinney, visit BaylorHealth.com/McKinneyBabies.
About Baylor Medical Center at McKinney
Baylor McKinney, part of Baylor Scott & White Health, is a 95-bed, fully-accredited not-for-profit hospital located in McKinney, Texas. The hospital opened in July 2012 and provides a broad spectrum of medical and health care services to the residents of McKinney and surrounding communities. Led by Hospital President Scott Peek, Baylor McKinney has more than 500 employees and a medical staff comprised of over 600 physicians representing nearly 33 specialties. For more information visit www.BaylorHealth.com/McKinney.
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MEDIA CONTACT:
Jennifer McDowell
Jennifer.McDowell@BaylorHealth.edu
214-820-4581
About Baylor Scott & White Health
As the largest not-for-profit health system in the state of Texas, Baylor Scott & White is empowering customers to live well by reimagining traditional healthcare — creating more convenient, personalized and informed experiences. It serves more than three million customers through 53 hospitals, including flagship academic medical centers in Dallas, Fort Worth and Temple; the Baylor Scott & White Research Institute; 1,300+ access points; 59,000+ team members; and its leading digital platform — MyBSWHealth. The system's award-winning employer solutions include Baylor Scott & White Health Plan, Baylor Scott & White Quality Alliance and Levanto — a company offering digitally enabled health products. Founded as a Christian ministry of healing more than a century ago, Baylor Scott & White's mission is to promote the health and well-being of all individuals, families and communities. For more information, visit: BSWHealth.com
