Perinatal Care Certification at Franklin Woods

First in Tennessee: FWCH awarded Perinatal Care Certification from The Joint Commission 

Franklin Woods Community Hospital has become the first hospital in Tennessee to earn Perinatal Care Certification from The Joint Commission. The certification program recognizes Joint Commission-accredited hospitals committed to achieving integrated, coordinated and patient-centered care for mothers and their newborns.

“Achieving this certification recognizes an organization’s commitment to healthy mothers and healthy babies,” said Wendi Roberts, RN, BA, MS, CLNC, executive director, Certification Programs, The Joint Commission. “The certification gives providers an unparalleled advantage when it comes to preparing mothers for labor and delivery, while also being able to help them if complications arise.”

Franklin Woods underwent a rigorous onsite review on Dec. 3-4 to assess its compliance with certification standards for perinatal care. During the review, Joint Commission experts completed an independent evaluation of Franklin Woods’ perinatal health care services, focusing on the following key requirements:

• Integrated, coordinated patient-centered care that starts with prenatal and continues through postpartum care
• Early identification of high-risk pregnancies and births
• Appropriate management of mothers’ and newborns’ risks
• Patient education and information about perinatal care services, helping mothers make informed health care decisions

 “We are delighted to receive Perinatal Care Certification from The Joint Commission, the premier health care quality improvement and accrediting body in the nation,” said Lindy White, CEO/VP of Franklin Woods. “By achieving this certification, we are focused on ongoing quality improvement processes to improve care for mothers and newborns.” 

“The Franklin Woods team has always been dedicated to providing the highest quality of care in a patient-centered manner,” said Dr. Grover May, an OB/GYN at Franklin Woods. “This perinatal certification validates the processes that we have followed for many years. As the first hospital in Tennessee to receive this prestigious certification, we are proud to provide a world-class service to our community.” 

Established in 2015, Perinatal Care Certification is awarded for a two-year period to Joint Commission-accredited hospitals.