Delivering Quality Maternity Care

OSF HealthCare prides itself on providing the highest level of medical care to those we serve. Often that begins with helping parents bring new life into the world. 

Recently, several OSF HealthCare hospitals were recognized for their expertise in delivering improved patient safety and better health outcomes in infant births with designations as Blue Distinction Center+ for Maternity Care by Blue Cross/Blue Shield (BC/BS).

One is OSF HealthCare Saint Elizabeth Medical Center in Ottawa,  

"We provide quality care," says Barb Beer, Director of the Family Birth Center at OSF HealthCare Saint Elizabeth Medical Center. "That we use the evidenced-based practices, which are practices that are based in research. So, we're providing the best care that we possibly can." 

The Blue Distinction Centers+ for Maternity Care program evaluates hospitals on quality measures for vaginal and cesarean delivery and must also demonstrate cost-efficiency. 

OSF Saint Elizabeth President Ken Beutke says the distinction, "gives expectant parents reliable quality and safety information and signifies that OSF Saint Elizabeth consistently delivers expert care." 

Beer attributes it to the dedication and commitment of maternity staff.  

"They're passionate about OB," says Beer. They're passionate about labor and delivery and providing, you know, great care. They're - it's a department that you have to love it and they all love it." 

In addition to OSF Saint Elizabeth, OSF HealthCare St. Joseph Medical Center, in Bloomington, OSF HealthCare Saint Francis Medical Center in Peoria, OSF HealthCare Saint James-John W. Albrecht Medical Center in Pontiac and OSF HealthCare St. Mary Medical Center in Galesburg also received Blue Distinction^® Center for Maternity Care designations.