Lake Forest Hospital receives national recognition in maternity, cardiology, stroke, intensive care and patient safety
Northwestern Medicine Lake Forest Hospital has been recognized in several leading specialties by numerous leading national organizations.
In its inaugural U.S. News and World Report 2021-22 Best Hospitals for Maternity, Northwestern Medicine Lake Forest Hospital was named one of the best in the U.S. for general maternity care. The Best Hospitals for Maternity evaluation examines hospital data relating to only uncomplicated pregnancies and five different factors: scheduled early deliveries, C-section rates in low-risk women, newborn complications, rate of exclusive breast milk feeding and option for vaginal births after cesarean. Participating hospital profiles also include a variety of relevant information on services and amenities, like private rooms, valet parking and availability of child birthing classes.
Hospitals that performed well had fewer newborn complications, fewer early deliveries and fewer C-sections compared to other hospitals across the nation. Out of 2,700 hospitals nationwide that offer maternity services, Northwestern Medicine Lake Forest Hospital is one of only 237 to earn the Best Hospitals for Maternity ranking.
“It was an honor to be recognized by U.S. News and World Report Best Hospitals for Maternity,” said Melissa Kelley MSN, RN, director of nursing, maternity services at Northwestern Medicine Lake Forest Hospital. “We are proud to offer a variety of support services for patients from the beginning of their pregnancy journey, and strive to deliver the highest level of care for our patients and newborns in a comfortable and convenient setting during this important time in their lives.”
In addition to maternity services, Northwestern Medicine Lake Forest Hospital was also recognized by the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association Get With the Guidelines for 2021. This included:
- Heart Failure Silver Plus achievement award
- Stroke Gold achievement award
- Plus Target: Heart Failure Honor Roll
- Target: Type II Diabetes Honor Roll
- Target: Stroke Honor Roll Elite Plus
“The Bluhm Cardiovascular Institute at Northwestern Medicine Lake Forest Hospital continues its mission to continually improve patient care,” said Ian Cohen MD, FACC, FSCAI, Charles and Barbara Strang Medical Director Bluhm Cardiovascular Institute North Region. “We are committed to offering the most advanced cardiac therapeutic options locally in a comfortable setting for our patients.”
For the second consecutive award cycle, Critical Care – E2 nurses at Northwestern Medicine Lake Forest Hospital has achieved a silver-level American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN) Beacon Award for Excellence. This award honors individual units that distinguish themselves by improving every facet of patient care. Beacon awardees set the standard for excellence in patient care environments by collecting and using evidence-based information to improve patient outcomes, and patient and staff satisfaction.
“Our nursing staff had to overcome pandemic challenges this year that have never been seen before, yet they continue to surpass expectations by focusing on the well-being of their patients,” said Karen Mahnke, MSN, RN, NEA-BC, chief nursing executive at Northwestern Medicine Lake Forest Hospital. “Each day, they put forth our Patients First mission into action, resulting in better patient care no matter what circumstance come their way.”
Patient safety continues to be a top priority at Northwestern Medicine Lake Forest Hospital. The Midwest Alliance for Patient Safety (MAPS) Patient Safety Organization (PSO) presented the organization with the MAPS PSO Patient Safety Champion team award in recognition of extraordinary efforts to improve patient safety in health care. Working across multiple disciplines, the organization successfully reduced hospital-associated pressure injuries by 83% from 2019 to 2021. Key tactics included weekly huddles between front-line leaders and clinicians, as well as having leaders walk through and spend time with front-line employees during the workday.
“We are honored that the Midwest Alliance for Patient Safety recognized our team for their dedication to improving patient safety,” said Thomas J. McAfee, president of Northwestern Medicine Lake Forest Hospital. “This has always been a top priority for our organization, and the team’s commitment to identifying processes that deliver the highest standard of patient safety has been exemplary.”
To learn more about Northwestern Medicine, visit http://news.nm.org/about-northwestern-medicine.html.
