Download B-roll of Andrews Women’s Hospital
at Baylor Scott & White All Saints Medical Center – Fort Worth here.

FORT WORTH, Texas  – Baylor Scott & White All Saints Medical Center –Fort Worth, a part of Baylor Scott & White Health, is the first hospital in Tarrant County designated as a Level IV maternal care center, the top designation from the Texas Department of State Health Services. A Level IV designation is awarded to hospitals that provide the highest possible comprehensive care and underscores the facility's ability to treat the most complex cases that present a high risk of maternal morbidity or mortality.

"Caring for mothers and babies is a tremendous honor and responsibility," said April Bleich, M.D., medical director of Maternal Fetal Medicine at Baylor Scott & White – Fort Worth. "The highest level of care is only possible through the tireless dedication of the multidisciplinary staff who care for patients like they are family."

Baylor Scott & White – Fort Worth's Andrews Women's Hospital is the only dedicated women's hospital in Fort Worth and delivers over 6,000 babies annually, more than any other facility in Tarrant County and across the Baylor Scott & White system. The hospital houses a Level III neonatal intensive care unit that offers the care needed for babies born before 32 weeks who weigh less than 1,500 grams, babies who are critically ill, and those who need breathing equipment to stay alive.

"We consider ourselves experts in birthdays," said Michelle C. Stemley, MSN, RN, NEA-BC director of Women's & Children's Services at Andrews Women's Hospital, "but most importantly, it's about providing these families with every bit of expertise we can so that they can continue celebrating special moments together for many years to come."

Baylor Scott & White – Fort Worth joins Baylor University Medical Center at Dallas and Baylor Scott & White Medical Center – Temple on the list of Texas hospitals with the state's highest level of designation.

To earn Level IV maternal care designation, Baylor Scott & White – Fort Worth demonstrated its expertise in:

• Comprehensive care – The facility is recognized for providing comprehensive care for pregnant and postpartum patients and their babies that includes:
• A cadre of medical and maternal subspecialists, surgical specialists and behavioral health specialists available for around-the-clock support.
• A maternal medical director and maternal fetal medicine critical care team to manage highly complex patient needs.
• A medical team and resources to perform major surgery for mothers.
• An intensive care unit with critical care capabilities for maternal patients.
• A designated team that includes physicians, certified midwives, physician assistants, and nurse practitioners who provide care specifically for maternal patients.
• Perinatal education for staff to prepare for high-risk events and emergencies.
• A continuously available certified lactation consultant.
• Perinatal outreach – Baylor Scott & White – Fort Worth has a dedicated team to provide services and training on safe delivery practices to local hospitals and birthing centers.
• Thought leadership – A symbiotic relationship with physicians and nurses encourages best practices and innovation for the full spectrum of birthing plans within and out of Baylor Scott & White – Fort Worth.
• Transportation – Safe and efficient ground and flight transportation for mother and baby from other hospitals in high-risk births.
• Continued education – The medical center offers technologically advanced simulation drills and practices to prepare medical staff for all birthing conditions, helping to lower poor maternal outcomes.

Maternal Levels of Care Designation is a requirement of House Bill 15, effective March 1, 2018. The program was designed to create best-in-practice standards for Texas women and children's services programs to improve maternal outcomes. The state's designation provides expectant mothers a hospital's care to make informed decisions during pregnancy about their birthing hospital.

The Level IV maternal care designation was awarded to Baylor Scott & White – Fort Worth's Andrews Women's Hospital after a rigorous two-day onsite survey of medical staff and facilities that provide perinatal services, and a review of hospital policies.

"We are honored to be the first in Tarrant County to achieve the Level IV maternal care designation by the State of Texas," said Jay Herd, M.D., OB/GYN and chief medical officer of Baylor Scott & White – Fort Worth. "We could not have grown this program without the support of the Tarrant County medical community, and we are honored to be able to provide this level of care while sharing resources, training and best practices with other delivery sites across the region. Programs like these make a difference in people's lives for a lifetime."

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About Baylor Scott & White Health
As the largest not-for-profit health system in the state of Texas, Baylor Scott & White promotes the health and well-being of every individual, family and community it serves. It is committed to making quality care more accessible, convenient and affordable through its integrated delivery network, which includes the Baylor Scott & White Health Plan, Baylor Scott & White Research Institute, the Baylor Scott & White Quality Alliance and its leading digital health platform – MyBSWHealth. Through 51 hospitals and more than 1,200 access points, including flagship academic medical centers in Dallas, Fort Worth and Temple, the system offers the full continuum of care, from primary to award-winning specialty care. Founded as a Christian ministry of healing more than a century ago, Baylor Scott & White today serves more than three million Texans. For more information, visit: BSWHealth.com