Methodist Mansfield designated as 2010 Texas Ten Step Hospital

by PegNews wire

Methodist Mansfield Medical Center has been designated as a 2010 Texas Ten Step Facility by the Department of State Health Services and the Texas Hospital Association. This annual designation is awarded to birthing facilities that provide optimal care to improve breastfeeding outcomes.

“We have worked very hard to earn the Texas Ten Step designation,” said President of Methodist Mansfield Medical Center Laura Irvine. “I am very proud of our women’s services staff and our physicians who promote the healthiest outcomes for our newest Texans and support an environment for breastfeeding families.”

The Texas Medical Association officially endorsed the Texas Ten Step Program in 2009 to encourage facilities to create an environment that supports the breastfeeding mother. Health professionals agree that breastfeeding is the first step toward a healthy life.

Methodist Mansfield has implemented 10 goals or “steps,” to support mothers who intend to breastfeed their infants after delivery. These practices will help the hospital meet Texas Breastfeeding Initiative’s goal of having 75 percent of mothers exclusively breastfeeding when they go home with their newborn. This is an essential step toward longer durations of exclusive breastfeeding after discharge.

Among the goals that a hospital must maintain to acquire the Texas Ten Step designation are training staff within the first six months of employment and offering annual updates. Staff provides the mother with resources to get continued care after discharge as well. The information provided allows staff to give mothers the care that they need in order to succeed in breastfeeding.

Even though breast feeding is one of nature’s most natural acts, breast feeding a new baby is not always easy. Methodist Mansfield offers help, support, and guidance about nursing and lactation services through prenatal education classes at the hospital and is available to moms and their families by calling 682-622-2169 or at www.methodisthealthsystem.org. To learn all that you can expect by choosing Methodist Mansfield Medical Center, call 682-622-7000 to preregister your baby’s delivery.

Methodist Dallas and Methodist Charlton are also Texas Ten Step Facilities.

Source: Methodist Health System