Guthrie Hospital Recognized for High-Quality Maternity Care

Guthrie Corning Hospital has been designated as a Blue Distinction Centers+ (BDC+) for Maternity Care by Excellus BlueCross BlueShield (BCBS) as part of the Blue Distinction Specialty Care program. 

BDC+ designated facilities deliver quality care, safely and effectively. Based on data from the current designation cycle, facilities designated under the Maternity Care program demonstrate higher-quality care compared to non-Blue Distinction Center facilities, with overall average rates of 26% lower episiotomies, 60% fewer elective deliveries and 17% lower cesarean births—all of which point to healthier outcomes for patients. 

Dr. Elizabeth Gordon, Team Lead, Obstetrics & Gynecology at Guthrie Corning Hospital said, “This recognition is appreciated, and it will continue to support and motivate the maternity care teams to provide excellent care to all patients.” 

“This recognition speaks volumes to the work we are doing here at Corning Hospital,” said Tracey A. Fish, RN, BSN, RNC-OB, C-EFM, Maternal Child Services Nurse Manager at Guthrie Corning Hospital. “I am so proud of my team’s dedication to doing the best for every patient, every time!”  

The BlueCross BlueShield Association is committed to reducing racial disparities in maternal health and has executed a multi-year National Health Equity Strategy to achieve this goal. To align with this strategy, the Blue Distinction Centers for Maternity Care program enhanced its quality and measurement standards to recognize higher-quality facilities that have taken action to respond effectively to obstetric emergencies, reduce racial disparities, and improve maternal health outcomes.   

“Congratulations to the team at Guthrie Corning Hospital on achieving this important quality recognition,” said Jessica Cox, Excellus BlueCross BlueShield Southern Tier regional president. “The Blue Distinction designation is one more tool to help members make informed decisions about their health care, allowing them to be assured that the facility has met specific benchmarks.”