Saint Luke’s East Hospital Among Nation’s Top Performing Maternity Hospitals for Second Consecutive Year, as Recognized by U.S. News & World Report

Saint Luke’s East Hospital has been recognized among the Best Hospitals for Maternity Care by U.S. News & World Report, earning a High Performing in Maternity Care (Uncomplicated Pregnancy) rating for the second consecutive year. This designation is the highest award a hospital can earn for maternity care and places Saint Luke’s East Hospital in the Top 10% of hospitals nationally for excellent maternity care.

To be recognized among the Best Hospitals for Maternity Care, hospitals had to excel in multiple quality metrics, including C-section rates, newborn complication rates, breast milk feeding rates, early elective delivery rates, routine vaginal birth after cesarean delivery (VBAC) rates, episiotomy rates, meeting new federal criteria for "birthing-friendly" practices, and tracking and reporting outcomes for patients of different races and ethnicities.

“As Eastern Jackson County’s premier maternity center, we are so proud of our women and children’s services team and the exceptional patient care we provide every day,” said Bobby Olm-Shipman, CEO of Saint Luke’s South and East Region. “Since opening our doors in 2006, we have welcomed more than 25,000 babies, and this recognition is a testament to our ongoing commitment to provide quality care and create a positive and safe experience for expecting moms.”

“When expectant parents are considering their options for welcoming a baby into the world, the Best Hospitals for Maternity Care is designed to help them identify hospitals that excel in delivering babies for uncomplicated pregnancies,” said Min Hee Seo, senior health data scientist at U.S. News.

This year’s U.S. News methodology includes four measures not previously factored into Best Hospitals for Maternity Care, including episiotomy rates, vaginal birth after cesarean (VBAC) rates, and meeting the new federal criteria for “birthing-friendly” practices. The methodology also rewards hospitals that track and report outcomes for patients of different races and ethnicities.

“Identifying racial disparities in maternity care is a vital step toward achieving health equity,” said Seo. “The new measures provide expectant parents with many important data points, such as whether hospitals implemented patient safety practices, to assist them in making a decision about where to receive maternity care.”

Saint Luke’s East Hospital in Lee’s Summit, Missouri, is part of Saint Luke’s Health System and has cared for the health and wellness of Eastern Jackson County residents since 2006. Saint Luke’s East offers a wide range of inpatient and outpatient services, including a 24-hour Emergency Department, Advanced Primary Stroke Center, accredited Chest Pain Center, maternity unit with NICU, nationally accredited Breast Center, comprehensive cancer care, rehabilitation care, and robotic surgery. The hospital earned a five-star rating by CMS, has The Joint Commission's Advanced Certification for Total Hip and Knee Replacement, and was named as one of the Best Hospitals for Maternity Care by U.S. News & World Report.

U.S. News & World Report is the global leader in quality rankings that empower citizens, consumers, business leaders and policy officials to make better, more informed decisions about important issues affecting their lives. A multifaceted digital media company with Education, Health, Money, Travel, Cars, News and 360 Reviews platforms, U.S. News provides rankings, independent reporting, data journalism, consumer advice and U.S. News Live events. More than 40 million people visit USNews.com each month for research and guidance. Founded in 1933, U.S. News is headquartered in Washington, D.C.