Northwest Health – Porter was recognized on December 19 by the Indiana Hospital Association (IHA), in partnership with Governor Eric J. Holcomb and State Health Commissioner Lindsay Weaver, MD, FACEP, for their commitment to infant and maternal health at the fourth annual INspire Hospital of Distinction recognition program.
INspire, funded by the Indiana Department of Health’s Safety PIN grant, was developed to implement the delivery of best practice care for Hoosier moms and babies and recognize hospitals for excellence in addressing key drivers of infant and maternal health.
“Northwest Health - Porter is honored to be recognized by the IHA for our efforts to improve the overall health of mothers and infants born in our hospital,” said Stephanie Didion, director of the Birthing & Family Care Center at Northwest Health – Porter. “We are committed to increasing awareness of maternal and infant mortality and educating new mothers to provide the safest possible environment they can for themselves and their newborn.”
Northwest Health – Porter earned the Inspire Hospital of Distinction recognition based on implementing best practices in seven key areas, including infant safe sleep, breastfeeding, tobacco prevention and cessation, perinatal substance use, obstetric hemorrhage, maternal hypertension and social determinants of health.
“The daily work of our delivering hospitals makes a monumental impact on the lives of so many Hoosier moms and infants in every corner of our state,” said Governor Holcomb. “These caregivers are much needed and appreciated, and we will continue to partner with them to support our shared goal of a healthy Hoosier tomorrow.”
In 2023, Northwest Health - Porter launched a new Maternal-Fetal Transport Service to provide medical intervention for mothers-to-be who are experiencing pregnancy complications and need to be transferred to a higher level of care. Patients are now transferred via ambulance to the hospital which includes a 24/7 OB emergency department, Level III obstetrical service, and a Level III neonatal intensive care unit – all providing quick, high-level medical management for the pregnant mother and her baby. This past November, Northwest Health launched the “I Gave Birth” bracelet initiative where new mothers receive a blue “I Gave Birth” wristband and learn about post-birth warning signs before discharge. This was in direct response to Indiana’s high rate of maternal mortality and the serious complications that new mothers may face after childbirth.
Northwest Health hospitals are the first in the region to implement the “I Gave Birth” initiative.
“Our birthing hospitals work tremendously hard to make sure all babies born in Indiana have the best start at life, while caring for the mothers who delivered them,” said Dr. Weaver. “Reducing infant and maternal mortality requires a continued multi-pronged approach over the course of many years to see impactful change. It is heartening to see the progress we’ve made but we must continue to adopt best practices so that we can celebrate more first birthdays in Indiana.”
About Northwest Health
Northwest Health is a comprehensive healthcare system committed to providing communities in Northwest Indiana with high-quality, accessible healthcare—from highly specialized care and surgical services to more routine primary care. The system of more than 60 access points includes three hospitals, five emergency departments, urgent care centers, outpatient surgery centers, an ambulance service, and physician offices. Northwest Health – Porter is owned, in part, by physicians. A team of more than 3,000 employees work together with the more than 700 physicians on its medical staffs. For more information, visit NWHealthIN.com.
