South San Francisco, CA July 19, 2020 Submitted by Matt Skryja, Kaiser Permanente 
Newsweek’s “Best Maternity Care Hospitals 2020” report recognizes Kaiser Permanente Northern California hospitals for exceptional care to mothers, babies and families
OAKLAND, Calif., July 17, 2020 – Kaiser Permanente Northern California hospitals are among the best in the nation for providing exceptional maternity care, according to Newsweek magazine’s “Best Maternity Hospitals 2020” report.
Whether helping parents navigate pregnancy safely or ensuring new moms recover more quickly after a cesarean birth, 12 Northern California Medical Centers earned top marks for providing safe, high-quality care to moms and their babies. Last year, 43,507 babies were delivered at Kaiser Permanente Northern California hospitals.
The following Kaiser Permanente hospitals received the “Best Maternity Hospitals 2020” designation: Antioch, Fresno, Modesto, Redwood City, Roseville, San Jose, Santa Clara, Santa Rosa, South Sacramento, Vacaville, Vallejo and Walnut Creek.
The national designation, awarded to only 231 hospitals in the United States, identifies leading maternity care programs that have met or exceeded rigorous quality and safety standards. Kaiser Permanente has a total of 22 hospitals in the nation that received the elite designation, representing nearly 10% of those named to the prestigious list– and nearly 50% of those listed in California.
“This reflects our commitment to providing our members and patients with high-quality maternity care as they embark on their parenthood journey,” said Tom Hanenburg, interim president of Kaiser Permanente’s Northern California region. “We are proud to be recognized for our superior care as we lead the nation in providing mothers and babies with safe, exceptional care, and we look forward to continuing to care for them as they grow.”
“Through our integrated care model, evidence-based protocols and technological advancements, we are providing families with the expert and high-quality care they need to lead healthy and productive lives, right from the start,” said Richard S. Isaacs, MD, CEO and executive director of The Permanente Medical Group. “We are proud of this accomplishment, which is a testament to the exceptional clinical expertise of our physicians and staff.”
Kaiser Permanente Northern California hospitals have been a leader in providing innovative approaches to maternal care, including our Supporting Vaginal Birth Program that resulted in marked decreases in cesarean birth for first-time moms, and the Enhanced Recovery After Surgery Program, which helps new mothers recover more quickly after delivering by caesarean section with improved pain control without the use of narcotics and early mobility. A focus on breastfeeding is also integral to Kaiser Permanente’s maternity care, which has proven health benefits for both baby and mom.
Newsweek’s Best Maternity Care Hospitals demonstrate the highest performance in the United States as verified by the 2019 Leapfrog Hospital Survey. Designated hospitals meet Leapfrog’s rigorous standards for excellence in maternity care — including low rates of C-section, episiotomy (an incision to enlarge the vaginal opening for childbirth), and early elective delivery — and follow important protocols to protect moms and babies, among other measures. Additionally, all of the hospitals named earned either an A or B on the Spring 2020 Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade.
For more detail on methodology and a complete list of designated maternity care programs, visit Newsweek’s “Best Maternity Care Hospitals 2020.”
About Kaiser Permanente
For 75 years, Kaiser Permanente has been committed to shaping the future of health and health care — and helping our members, patients, and communities experience more healthy years. We are recognized as one of America’s leading health care providers and not-for-profit health plans. Since July 21, 1945, Kaiser Permanente’s mission has been to provide high-quality, affordable health care services and to improve the health of our members and the communities we serve. We currently serve 12.4 million members in eight states and the District of Columbia. Care for members and patients is focused on their total health and guided by their personal Permanente Medical Group physicians, specialists and team of caregivers. Our expert and caring medical teams are empowered and supported by industry-leading technology advances and tools for health promotion, disease prevention, state-of-the-art care delivery and world-class chronic disease management. Kaiser Permanente is dedicated to care innovations, clinical research, health education, and the support of community health. http://about.kaiserpermanente.org
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