Methodist Hospital Metropolitan was recently designated as a Level III (Subspecialty Care) Maternal Facility and as a Level III Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) Facility by the Texas Department of State Health Services.
Located in downtown San Antonio, Methodist Hospital Metropolitan is the only hospital in the city to have a freestanding facility completely dedicated to the health of women and their newborn babies, The Suzell Waller Women's Pavilion.
To receive the Level III Maternal Care designation, the hospital demonstrated particular care standards related to the treatment of pregnant and postpartum patients and validated that all quality measures are reviewed regularly, reflecting continuous improvement.
"Our maternal care program is successful due to our comprehensive quality assessment and performance improvement plan. As a data-driven organization, we make effective decisions related to the care of mothers and their babies using evidence-based guidelines and a detailed review of the maternal population," said Chadi Awad, Chief Nursing Officer. "Becoming a Level III Maternal Care facility demonstrates our competency to provide a higher level of care to a pregnant or postpartum patient with significant complex medical, surgical, and/or obstetrical conditions."
Methodist Hospital Metropolitan is staffed with a full complement of medical and maternal subspecialists and physicians, has 24/7 in-house OB hospitalist coverage, and has Maternal-Fetal Medicine integrated into the program to ensure babies are monitored by staff specialized in high-risk situations. Additionally, as part of the Level III designation, the hospital has an adult ICU specialist onsite 24/7 with extensive training and expertise to provide critical care services to the more complex maternal patient. Resources for behavioral health, a dietician with training in maternal needs, onsite ultrasound services, outreach education, a pharmacy with experience in perinatal pharmacology, and certified lactation services are also available.
To round out a full complement of complex services at Methodist Hospital Metropolitan, the NICU program demonstrated performance as a Level III designated facility. A two-day survey of the NICU was conducted to review the hospital's outcomes and quality initiatives, ancillary departments, provider and nursing credentials, and more. The results showed that the hospital has one of the premier NICUs in the state and can provide exceptional care to infants of all gestational ages.
"Methodist Hospital Metropolitan is committed to providing exceptional care to the mothers' fragile infants while also keeping the family informed and engaged in their infant's NICU journey," said Sarah Auge, Director of the Neonatal ICU. "Our highly skilled team works together to treat these infants with the most innovative and safest practices. Achieving this recognition shows our outstanding outcomes and reflects the kind of family-centered care we provide to the San Antonio community."
Dedicated to the care of women and their babies, Methodist Hospital Metropolitan has a 24/7, in-house presence of neonatal nurse practitioners, obstetricians, and anesthesiologists to provide around-the-clock care. Additionally, they have dedicated neonatologists, respiratory therapists, nutritionists, speech therapists, physical and occupational therapists available when needed.
“Despite COVID-19, our hospital has remained focused on providing family-centered care, and both of these designations show our dedication to providing a full scope of care for mothers and their babies,” said Greg Seiler, Chief Executive Officer at Methodist Hospital Metropolitan.
While many hospitals have taken away visitation abilities in labor and delivery units and NICUs, Methodist Hospital Metropolitan has found ways to accommodate families. Each parent/visitor is screened, and their temperatures are monitored daily to ensure the safety of all.