IU Health Arnett Hospital earns High Performing designation for maternity care

Lafayette, Ind. – Indiana University Health Arnett Hospital has been named among the country’s best hospitals for maternity care in 2024, according to U.S. News & World Report.

U.S. News & World Report, the global authority in hospital rankings and consumer advice, named Arnett Hospital a 2024 High Performing hospital for Maternity Care. This is the highest award a hospital can earn for U.S. News’ Best Hospitals for Maternity Care.

The annual evaluation is designed to assist expectant parents, in consultation with their doctors, in making informed decisions about where to receive maternity care.

“This is an incredible recognition of our team’s genuine commitment to providing maternity services that marry national best practices with personalized care to give patients the best birthing experience possible,” says obstetrician Rea Sebata, MD, chair of the Obstetrics and Gynecology department at IU Health Arnett. “It signifies to patients that by choosing to deliver at Arnett Hospital, they are making an excellent choice for both mom and baby.”

The High Performing designation is based on an objective evaluation of eight important criteria:

• C-section delivery rates
• Early elective delivery rates
• Overall unexpected newborn complication rates
• Routine vaginal birth after c-section delivery rates
• Episiotomy rates
• Whether the hospital meets new federal criteria for birthing-friendly practices
• Transparency on racial/ethnic disparities

“In particular, our team is especially proud of our work to improve maternal and newborn outcomes in Indiana by working as a team to provide comprehensive prenatal care, doing regular drills for obstetric emergencies and educating parents on ways to reduce newborn complications, including safe sleep practices and breastfeeding. We also have a highly skilled Riley-designated Level III Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) that cares for the sickest of our babies,” says Sebata.

U.S. News and World Report evaluated 680 hospitals from across the nation that provide labor and delivery services; less than half of the 680 hospitals evaluated meet the standard for the High Performing designation.

Arnett Hospital is one of four IU Health hospitals to receive this designation; Ball Memorial, Bloomington and West hospitals also are listed among the best hospitals for maternity care.