MDH Re-accredited as Level II Obstetrics Unit

MACOMB, Ill. – McDonough District Hospital Obstetrics received re-accreditation as a Level II Unit from the Illinois Department of Public Health.

Following an on-site visit from IDPH and the Administrative Perinatal Center, OSF St. Francis, MDH received another accreditation for three years.

“There are different levels of Perinatal Care hospitals can provide. Our facility is designated as a Level II, meaning we can provide care and are equipped to manage women and newborns at moderate risk, operating an intermediate care nursery. A Level II designation elevates the scope of care provided by a rural birthing facility, bridging the gap between basic and high specialized care,” said Director of Obstetrics Melissa Onion, RN. “This contributes to better outcomes for our mothers and newborns in our rural area. Over the past year, we have focused on enhancing our emergency preparedness and advancing our skills to provide exceptional care for any situation that arises.”

The Dolores Kator Switzer Women’s Center Obstetrics area consists of three Labor-Delivery-Recovery rooms, seven recovery rooms, and another for gynecological post-operative recovery. MDH is one of the few obstetrics delivery departments around west-central Illinois.

“McDonough District Hospital is one of the few birthing facilities still in our area. We are proud of the work we have done at MDH to provide high quality care. Prioritizing quality care not only improves maternal and neonatal health, but it also strengthens our communities,” said Onion. “We are committed to ensuring safe, accessible, and compassionate healthcare for all. We have been recognized for our achievements by the Illinois Perinatal Quality Collaborative as well as the IDPH Nurse Consultant performing the survey.”

The staff spent months preparing for the site visit. According to Onion, “IDPH and our Administrative Perinatal Center review three years worth of quality metrics, data, logs, and policies. This is a multidisciplinary review. Although the primary focus is on Obstetrics, the IDPH and the OSF team review and speak with all areas that contribute and care for our obstetric patients.”

Onion stated not only was Obstetrics involved but so were staff in several other areas.

“This truly was a team effort. Our OB/GYN providers, myself and my Clinical Care Coordinators Rachel Lawver, RN, and Aubree Ourth, RN, took the lead on the survey. Lab, Cardio, Radiology, Surgery, Dietary, Case Management and many more were instrumental in facilitating an excellent survey.”

In addition to the Level II designation, MDH also earned recognition at the recent Fall Illinois Perinatal Quality Collaborative Conference. The OB staff received multiple awards: Birth Equity QI Excellence Award, Illinois Perinatal Quality Collaboration (ILPQC) Community Engagement Award, the Award of Excellence for their QI posters, and the OB Abstract Excellence Award for Birth Equity initiative.

“We were the only rural facility that submitted three abstracts to the state for review. We were 1-of-6 abstracts that were recognized out of 53,” said Onion. “Rachel, Aubree, and I are continuously working on quality initiatives. We are very fortunate to have an amazing team of nurses as well as providers that assist us with these projects and have great buy in!”

The Level II designation, experienced OB staff, and the DKSWC facility are just some of the reasons parents choose MDH for their prenatal, delivery, and post-natal care.

“Parents should choose MDH Obstetrics for their birthing experience because we offer a combination of personalized, high-quality care and advanced medical expertise with the convenience of being local. MDH Obstetrics provides top of the line, 1-on-1, quality care to our patients,” said Onion. “We prioritize your needs, birth plan wishes, and offer a true personal approach to your care. OB staff work closely with our patients to ensure they have autonomy and a sense of empowerment throughout their whole MDH experience. Our state-of-the-art facility is superior in our region. Patients have expressed their gratitude for the quality, individualized care that you can’t find anywhere else.”

Some comments from the IDPH surveyors included:

• Director of Radiology with 47 years medical experience
• Six (6) Certified Lactation Consultants (CLC) on staff
• Offering outpatient CLC services postpartum
• Illinois Perinatal Quality Collaboration (ILPQC) involvement, posters, awards
• Director with Obstetrics experience and Clinical Coordinators
• Resource list attached to site visit packet to show community services available to perinatal population
• MDH has 4 Neonatal Resuscitation Program Instructors in their OB staff pool
• 100% OB staff and Providers trained in Spinning Babies
• Their Promoting Vaginal Birth Initiative using the Tower of Power tools and Labor Menu options
• Success at recruiting a Patient Partner who is local to the community
• Emergency Department Approved for Pediatrics (EDAP) certified
• Proximity of OB/GYN clinic to the Dolores Kator Switzer Women's Center
• Collaboration with Rachel’s Gift and being the first hospital to participate in Illinois
• Hosted Angel Dash memorial walk in downtown Macomb
• Implemented Autobanking
• Maternal sepsis simulation
• Continued collaboration with the Amish community
• First hospital in Illinois to use Jada device
• Recognition of needs in clinic and collaboration with Social Worker/Case Management