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NUMC MATERNITY CARE SERVICES EXCEED U.S. AND NYS STANDARDS IN CDC NATIONAL SURVEY OF INFANT NUTRITION CARE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 19, 2012

PRESS CONTACT:
Shelley Lotenberg
shelley@numc.edu
516-572-6055


NUMC MATERNITY CARE SERVICES EXCEED U.S. AND NYS STANDARDS IN CDC NATIONAL SURVEY OF INFANT NUTRITION CARE

East Meadow, NY…..Arthur A. Gianelli, President/CEO of the NuHealth System, proudly announced that the maternity services at the Nassau University Medical Center, has achieved an 81% composite quality practice score in a recent Center for Disease Control and Prevention National Survey of Infant Nutrition Care.

“Congratulations to the NUMC perinatal staff on achieving an 81% composite score, a 67% improvement since 2009 when the composite quality score was 49%, as noted in the most recent national survey of maternity practices in infant nutrition and care. During the last two years, the number of moms breastfeeding their infants has dramatically increased to about 85% of our mothers, a credit to the diligent efforts of the perinatal nursing leadership staff to promote breastfeeding,” stated Gianelli.

The Maternity Practices in Infant Nutrition and Care (mPINC) Survey is a national survey of infant feeding practices in facilities that provide maternity care services. The survey is conducted in facilities that provide maternity care services. It is conducted by the Batelle Centers for Public Health Research and Evaluation and has conducted this survey since 2007. The CDC provides this resource to help facilities improve outcomes by providing the best evidence-based care to patients.  A group of specific interventions has been identified that, when implemented together as a consistent system of care, results in better breastfeeding outcomes. Inpatient and ambulatory intrapartum care strategies describe how infant feeding care is delivered across the perinatal period. These strategies are designed to reduce the incidence of events and experiences that undermine mothers’ breastfeeding intentions and decisions. NUMC reported 1735 births in the past year.

NuHealth’s executive vice president for medical affairs and medical director, Steven J. Walerstein, MD, FACP, added: “This is terrific news and a well deserved accomplishment for the perinatal nursing staff, the department of OB/GYN and the pediatrics department. NUMC composite score of 81% exceeds benchmarks for the United States of 76%, 79% for New York State and for similar size facilities of 76%, in providing excellent maternity practices in infant nutrition and care.”

In thanking the perinatal staff for their efforts throughout the year on promoting breastfeeding, Laura Kyrillidis, RN, MHA, director of nursing perinatal and pediatric services, commented: “I am privileged to work with the perinatal team that has worked diligently towards better feeding practices for our infants at NUMC. The result of this survey is a testament to the entire perinatal nursing division for their commitment to being the best and for dedicating themselves to improving the quality of care as it relates to nutrition, specifically to breast feeding.”
 

ABOUT NUHEALTH
NuHealth is a Long Island health care organization delivering essential medical care and disease and lifestyle management to everyone at every stage of life.  Also known as Nassau Health Care Corporation, NuHealth is a public benefit corporation managing the operations of Nassau Medical Center, A. Holly Patterson Extended Care and a network of Family Health Centers that bring primary and specialty care out into the community.  By emphasizing wellness, cultural sensitivity and collaborative efforts with the North Shore-LIJ Health System, NuHealth is working to make good care more affordable and easier to access.

For more information about NuHealth or its Centers of Care, visit www.nuhealth.net.