St. Joseph’s Health Earns 5-stars for Vaginal Delivery

Syracuse, NY (September 19, 2018) – St. Joseph’s Health is the only hospital in Onondaga County to be named a 5-star recipient for Vaginal Delivery by Healthgrades, the leading online resource for comprehensive information about physicians and hospitals. This 5-star rating indicates that the hospital’s clinical outcomes are statistically significantly better than expected when treating the condition or performing the procedure being evaluated.




According to Healthgrades, St. Joseph’s Health Hospital has the highest patient recommendation and has earned more 5-Star Ratings than any other hospital in Onondaga County.




“The focus for our Women’s and Children’s Services team is sustaining a highly reliable and safe perinatal service at St. Joseph’s Health,” said Dr. Joseph Spinale, Chief Medical Officer at St. Joseph’s Health. “Our clinical practice is based on protocols that are developed from national guidelines and we have a dedicated culture of ‘safety-first’ to keep mothers and infants safe at all times.”




Safety Facts:

• St. Joseph’s Health Hospital was the first hospital in the U.S. to complete the More OB perinatal safety program in 2005, has continued to meet these requirements over the past 13 years, and has even received a safety award from More OB.
• St. Joseph’s has also collaborated with the Safe Motherhood Initiative (NYSDOH Collaborative project) on several perinatal initiatives since 2001, including the elimination of elective deliveries and the development of guidelines regarding when inductions and c-sections could be scheduled.
• In addition to its credentialed fetal monitoring, management of the second stage of labor, and safe reduction of c-sections, the Women’s and Children’s Services team at St. Joseph’s Health conducts monthly safety drills and hosts annual safety workshops.

“With more options than ever on where to receive care, consumers need to do their homework,” said Brad Bowman, MD, Chief Medical Officer, Healthgrades. “Hospitals that have received a 5-star rating have shown dedication and expertise, resulting in high-quality outcomes for patients.”




Healthgrades analyzed all-payer state data for 15 states and the District of Columbia for years 2014 through 2016 and found that there is a significant variation in hospital quality between those that have received 5-stars and those that have not. From 2014 through 2016, patients having a Vaginal Delivery in hospitals with 5-stars have, on average, a 42.7% lower risk of experiencing a complication while in the hospital than if they were treated by hospitals with 1-star.




“St. Joseph’s Health offers the only hospital-based birthing center in the region, which gives the entire family a more private atmosphere, and we provide birth options that suit each woman’s individual needs and delivery plan,” said Leslie Paul Luke, President and CEO at St. Joseph’s Health. “We have better patient outcomes because of our comprehensive focus on the physical, social and emotional aspects of the entire process — combining our cutting-edge technology and compassionate approach.”




St. Joseph’s Health also earned 3-star ratings for C-section deliveries, hysterectomies and gynecologic procedures, indicating that they continue to meet all safety criteria. Hospitals can only receive ratings of one star, three stars, or five stars.




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About St. Joseph’s Health


St. Joseph’s Health is a regional non-profit health care system based in Syracuse, NY. Offering primary, specialty and home care, a Magnet-recognized hospital, and collaboration with community partners, St. Joseph's Health advances the well-being of the communities we serve through an expanding range of services to ensure our patients achieve optimum long-term health. St. Joseph’s is ranked by Consumer Reports among the top 15 heart surgery centers in the country, a designated Stroke Center, a U.S. News “Best Regional Hospital” and the only hospital in Onondaga County to be awarded an ‘A’ rating by Leapfrog® Hospital Safety Grades. St. Joseph’s Health is affiliated with Franciscan Companies and St. Joseph’s Physicians, and is a member of Trinity Health.