Backus Hospital has received US News & World Report’s High Performing in Maternity Care award as part of the magazine’s annual Best Hospitals issue.

According to the magazine, U.S. News asked hospitals to provide data for various measures. Hospitals that scored well on multiple measures have been recognized as High Performing. This rating focuses on uncomplicated pregnancies and may not apply to high-risk pregnancies, such as patients with diabetes or who are pregnant with twins. Patients should ask their provider if their pregnancy is high risk.

High Performing hospitals had fewer early deliveries, fewer C-sections, and fewer newborn complications than other hospitals, and had higher rates of breast milk feeding.

“We are pleased and honored to be listed as a Best Hospital for Maternity Care” said Teresa Fuller, Regional Vice President Patient Care Services. “Our care team, including providers and nursing staff work hard every day to ensure best care to our community of mothers and babies.”

The rankings are based on services and amenities provided to patients by the hospital. Of the amenities listed as important in the survey, Backus provided all but one: valet parking. The services deemed important by the survey that the hospital does provide are:

  • Childbirth Classes.
  • Private Rooms or Suites.
  • Partner May Stay Overnight Post-Delivery.
  • Midwives Can Attend Births.
  • Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU).
  • Immersive Tub Hydrotherapy During Labor.
  • Breastfeeding and Lactation Consultants.

The magazine noted that Backus “never or rarely schedules delivery earlier than recommended, and is excellent at minimizing avoidable C-sections. Backus reported less than 23.9 percent of first-time, low-risk pregnancies at full term were delivered by Cesarean section.”

Backus excelled at working with new moms to encourage breastfeeding, according to the magazine, which said, “55.5 percent of babies were exclusively breastfed or fed breast milk during their hospital stay. The average in the Northeast is 45.6 percent and the national average is 51 percent.”

“We will continue to devote ourselves to the endeavor of being the most trusted for personalized, coordinated care by ensuring our values of safety, integrity, equity, caring and excellence are embedded within our daily work” said Fuller.

The Connecticut Breastfeeding Coalition has named Backus Hospital a Breastfeeding Friendly Employer. The designation recognizes organizations who proactively support employees who choose to breastfeed their infants. They provide time, space and other benefits to maintain breastfeeding after a mom returns to work.

The magazine also noted that Backus supports women who seek to have a Vaginal Birth After Cesarean (VBAC), and that newborn complications in full-term newborns with normal birthweight and no preexisting conditions are equivalent to the national average.