Norman Regional Earns Gold Award for Excellence in Perinatal Care

Norman Regional Health System demonstrates its commitment to exceptional care for mothers and infants by receiving the Gold Award from the Oklahoma Perinatal Quality Improvement Collaborative (OPQIC).

Among 44 birthing hospitals in Oklahoma, Norman Regional is one of only six facilities in the state to achieve this highest-level recognition, underscoring its dedication to providing safe, equitable and high-quality perinatal care.

The OPQIC Gold Award acknowledges hospitals that excel in various metrics tied to perinatal health outcomes. Norman Regional’s perinatal team has met or exceeded key benchmarks, including: low elective delivery rates, successful newborn screening processes and participation in critical initiatives such as the AIM programs for obstetric hemorrhage and preeclampsia.

"At OPQIC, we’re deeply grateful for the dedication and hard work of Oklahoma hospitals in providing exceptional care for moms and babies across the state. The Spotlight Awards give us the opportunity to publicly celebrate these hospitals for their unwavering commitment to improving maternal and infant health outcomes," said Denise Cole, MS, RNC-NIC, C-ONQS, Associate Director, Oklahoma Perinatal Quality Improvement Collaborative.

The OPQIC seeks to recognize hospitals that are creating a culture of excellence in perinatal care for Oklahoma mothers and newborns. Oklahoma birthing hospitals meeting criteria were recently recognized as bronze, silver and gold level “Spotlight Hospitals”. Criteria includes:

• Early Elective Delivery rates
• Breastfeeding practices
• Safe Sleep Certification
• Oklahoma Mothers and Newborns affected by Opioids (OMNO) participation
• TeamBirth participation
• Joint Commission Perinatal Care Certification
• Newborn Screening - Transit Times
• Newborn Screening - Unsatisfactory rates

Norman Regional is honored to be selected as one of this year’s gold-level hospitals and proud of the dedication from our entire perinatal care team that made this possible.

“The OPQIC Spotlight award provides tangible evidence of the tremendous efforts from our team of perinatal physicians, therapists, nurses and technicians,” said Tonya Faires, BSN, RNC-ONQS, Norman Regional Perinatal Centers of Excellence Program Administrator. “Improvement is a direct reflection of these disciplines all working together to ensure each family feels loved and respected while receiving excellent care before, during and after delivery.”

Excellence in Care and Services

Norman Regional offers a wide array of perinatal services, ensuring comprehensive care for expectant mothers and their families. These include:

• Labor and Delivery Services: At Norman Regional, we understand that every birth is unique. Our state-of-the-art labor and delivery facilities are designed with comfort, safety and flexibility in mind. From private birthing suites to advanced monitoring and care, we support natural births, medicated deliveries and high-risk situations. Our team of physicians and nurses collaborate closely with families to ensure their birth plans are respected while prioritizing safety and health.

• Newborn Care: The first moments after birth are crucial for bonding and health. Norman Regional emphasizes practices like skin-to-skin contact and breastfeeding support to promote healthy development and strong connections. Our certified lactation consultants are available to provide education, encouragement and guidance to new mothers navigating their breastfeeding journey.

• Level III Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU): Norman Regional’s Level III NICU offers expert care for premature and critically ill newborns. Staffed with neonatologists, specialized nurses, respiratory therapists and other dedicated professionals, the NICU provides 24/7 care in a nurturing environment. Equipped with advanced technology, the unit is capable of addressing complex medical needs, offering families peace of mind and comprehensive support during challenging times.

• High-Risk Pregnancy Management: For expectant mothers facing complications or high-risk conditions, Norman Regional provides tailored care plans and monitoring. Our maternal-fetal medicine specialists collaborate with obstetricians and other healthcare providers to deliver comprehensive care for conditions like gestational diabetes, preeclampsia and multiple pregnancies. With advanced diagnostic tools and interventions, we ensure optimal outcomes for both mother and baby.

• Prenatal and Postpartum Education and Support: Education is key in preparing for childbirth and parenthood. Norman Regional offers a variety of prenatal classes, covering topics like childbirth preparation, breastfeeding, newborn care and more. In 2024, Build a Brain, Build a Life, Build a Community® program was introduced—an innovative initiative designed to equip parents and caregivers with essential tools and resources to maximize their baby’s brain development during the first three years of life.

• TeamBirth Participation: Norman Regional is part of the TeamBirth initiative, a national program focused on enhancing communication and collaboration during labor and delivery. By placing families at the front of the decision-making process and ensuring seamless teamwork among healthcare providers, the initiative promotes safe and empowering birth experiences.

• Breastfeeding Friendly: Norman Regional is proud to follow the Ten Steps to Successful Breastfeeding from the World Health Organization. This includes promoting breastfeeding, reducing unnecessary interventions and fostering practices that support maternal and infant health.

• Advanced Support Services: Beyond direct care, Norman Regional offers comprehensive resources, including 24/7 access to specialists through its nationally recognized Obstetrical Emergency Department, emotional health support and connections to community programs that assist families with their unique needs.

Norman Regional’s comprehensive approach ensures that families receive exceptional care at every stage of their journey, from pregnancy through delivery and beyond.

A Culture of Excellence

OPQIC's vision aligns seamlessly with Norman Regional’s mission: “Personalized Healthcare with Compassion and Excellence.” By fostering a culture of safety and innovation, the hospital continues to set the standard for perinatal care in Oklahoma.

“It’s a huge honor to be selected; however the real joy for me comes from hearing our patients share about their experience and appreciation. They may never know the full extent of the work that is done behind-the-scenes to ensure their experience is safe and meets the highest level of quality from admit through discharge. But they do know how they feel, and many say they don’t want to leave their amazing care team. For me, this is the ultimate compliment,” Faires said.

“Receiving the Gold Award highlights not only our team's capabilities but also our unwavering commitment to excellence,” said Dr. Jessica Hinojosa, Perinatal Centers of Excellence Medical Director for Norman Regional. “We are proud to be a trusted partner in our community for maternal and infant health.”

About OPQIC

The Oklahoma Perinatal Quality Improvement Collaborative works to improve health outcomes for mothers and newborns statewide. Through partnerships with hospitals, clinicians and other stakeholders, OPQIC strives to create a culture of safety, equity and excellence in perinatal care.