Foothills Hospital named to U.S. News' 2024 Best Hospitals for Maternity Care

U.S. News & World Report, the global authority in hospital rankings and consumer advice, has named Boulder Community Health’s Foothills Hospital as a 2024 High Performing hospital for Maternity Care (Uncomplicated Pregnancy).  

Best Hospitals for Maternity Care is an annual evaluation designed to assist expectant parents, in consultation with their prenatal care team, in making informed decisions about where to receive maternity care that best meets their family’s needs.  

Foothills Hospital earned a High Performing designation in recognition of maternity care as measured by factors such as newborn complication rates.  

“I am proud and honored that our maternity care team has been recognized by U.S. News as one of the best maternity hospitals in the U.S.,” said Lisa Allen, BCH’s Director of Nursing and Family Birth Center. “This national recognition reflects the remarkable dedication, collaboration and expertise of our OB-GYNs, certified nurse midwives, nurse practitioners, nurses and support staff for helping families have the safest and best birth experience.” 

U.S. News evaluated hospitals from across the nation that provide labor and delivery services and submitted detailed data to the publication for analysis; 680 hospitals, an all-time high, participated in this year’s U.S. News survey. Fewer than half – 46% – of all hospitals that offer maternity care and participated in the survey received a High Performing designation.  

“Hospitals that receive a High Performing designation as part of Best Hospitals for Maternity Care meet a high standard in caring for parents with uncomplicated pregnancies,” said Jennifer Winston, health data scientist at U.S. News. “These hospitals have C-section rates that are 26% lower, and newborn complication rates that are 37% lower than unrecognized hospitals. Parents-to-be can research their local hospitals’ performance metrics for free at health.usnews.com to help them choose where to have their baby.” 

The U.S. News Best Hospitals for Maternity Care methodology is based entirely on objective measures of quality, such as C-section rates in lower-risk pregnancies, newborn complication rates, exclusive breast milk feeding rates, early elective delivery rates, birthing-friendly practices and transparency on racial/ethnic disparities, among other measures.