North Oaks Medical Center proudly announces its continued recognition as a
Gift-designated hospital. North Oaks became a
Gift-designated hospital for the first time in 2016.
The Gift is a quality initiative and hospital designation program through the Louisiana
Department of Health – Office of Public Health – Bureau of
Family Health.
Eligible
birthing facilities are reviewed every three years for their performance on practices and
policies that are aligned with the evidence-based, internationally recognized
Ten Steps to Successful Breastfeeding from the WHO/UNICEF Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative. In addition, these
facilities are assessed for their degree of participation in quality improvement
activities and implementation of available patient education materials.
Policy development, education of staff, patient education and provision
of discharge resources for breastfeeding mothers are key components of
the program.
“We are thrilled to remain among the family of birthing facilities
in the state that have received
The Gift designation,” affirms Kirsten Riney, Vice President of Patient Services
for North Oaks Health System. “This achievement demonstrates our
team’s commitment to offering quality, patient-centered care. It
also highlights improvements our hospital has made to help produce better
outcomes for all mothers and infants.”
The Gift is designed to increase breastfeeding rates and hospital success by improving
the quality of maternity services and enhancing patient-centered care.
The Gift designation gives North Oaks Medical Center a better opportunity to achieve
further certifications and accreditations as well as meet national and
international quality measures and standards of care.
“Our goal is to provide mothers and babies with the very best information
and tools at this crucial moment in their lives and we are able to do
so through valuable hospital partners like North Oaks Medical Center,”
said Marci Brewer, State Breastfeeding Program Manager, Bureau of Family Health.
“The Gift program encourages continued progress toward the pursuit of the international
designation, Baby-Friendly, a global initiative to promote hospitals and
birthing centers that offer optimal care in lactation services.”
Pictured celebrating North Oaks Medical Center’s continued recognition
as a Gift-designated hospital are, from left: Vice President of Patient
Services Kirsten Riney, Lead Neonatal Nurse Practitioner Scott Landry,
Magnolia Obstetrics & Gynecology Practice Manager Nikki Norman, Dr.
April Sandifer of Magnolia Obstetrics & Gynecology, Lactation Registered
Nurse Tasha Daniel, Children’s Services Clinical Manager Tamara
Mitchell, Women’s Services Clinical Manager Holly Myers, Vice President
of Clinics Kanna Page and Market Strategist/Business Development Representative
Tiffany Harvey-Gautier.