COUDERSPORT — UPMC Cole was recently recognized as a Keystone 10 center, indicating the hospital’s high level of support for breastfeeding families through the adoption and implementation of evidence-based practices.
Keystone 10 is a quality improvement breastfeeding initiative developed by the Pennsylvania Department of Health and administered by the Pennsylvania Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics. It is aimed at improving the protection, promotion, and support of breastfeeding for all Pennsylvania infants, mothers, and families. The Keystone 10 Initiative was developed as a means of improving individual facility and state level breastfeeding care and rates and ultimately improving the health of mothers and babies.
“In 2015, UPMC Cole committed to participating in the Keystone 10 and the obstetric and pediatric providers and staff have dedicated themselves to implementing the 10 Steps to Successful Breastfeeding through small and large changes in the care we provide to families in the prepartum, intrapartum, and postpartum settings,” said Mary Ann Rigas, the pediatrician who spearheaded the Keystone 10 project at UPMC Cole. “The Keystone 10 designation exemplifies the evidence-based, patient-focused care we strive to offer at UPMC Cole.”
Keystone 10-designated facilities focus on breastfeeding initiation, exclusive breastfeeding, skin-to-skin contact and rooming-in, among other elements. Keystone 10 is based on similar initiatives in other states that have shown success in assisting birthing facilities in the promotion of breastfeeding through establishment of breastfeeding policy, implementation of procedure improvements, and supporting families in making informed feeding decisions.
“The Keystone 10 designation was truly a team effort by obstetric and pediatric providers and nurses at UPMC Cole,” said Rigas. “It reflects the team’s commitment to giving families the information, confidence, and skills necessary to successfully implement and continue breastfeeding their babies or safely feed with formula, ensuring a healthy start to their newborn’s lives.”
For more information, visit UPMCCole.org.
