AHN Hospitals Recognized for Leadership in Improving Maternal Safety, Reducing Risk of Maternal Sepsis

AHN Saint Vincent in Erie receives Gold Designation; AHN Jefferson, Forbes and West Penn Hospitals earn Bronze Designations from Pennsylvania Perinatal Quality Collaborative

PITTSBURGH and ERIE, Pa - Allegheny Health Network (AHN) today announced that AHN Saint Vincent Hospital in Erie earned a Gold Designation, while AHN Jefferson hospital in Jefferson Hills, AHN Forbes hospital in Monroeville and AHN West Penn hospital in Pittsburgh's Bloomfield neighborhood have each received a Bronze Designation from the Pennsylvania Perinatal Quality Collaborative (PA PQC) during its annual Designation Awards ceremony in Altoona.

The awards recognize hospitals that have established multidisciplinary teams dedicated to continuous quality improvement in maternal and newborn care and have demonstrated a commitment to addressing some of the leading causes of pregnancy-related complications and death.

Specifically, AHN hospitals received their respective recognitions for work on the issue of maternal sepsis, and their efforts to mitigate risks relative to the serious complication.

Maternal sepsis is a life-threatening condition that occurs when the body's response to an infection causes organ dysfunction during pregnancy, childbirth or the postpartum period. Nationally, it's the second leading cause of preventable maternal deaths in the United States.

Rates have increased in recent years, underscoring the need for early identification, standardized treatment protocols and coordinated clinical care.

Through participation in the PA PQC's Maternal Sepsis initiative, AHN hospitals implemented evidence-based practices designed to identify patients at risk sooner, standardize screening and response protocols, improve care team communication and ensure rapid treatment when sepsis is suspected.

"This recognition reflects the dedication of our physicians, nurses and clinical teams who work every day to provide the safest possible care for mothers and babies," said Marcia Klein-Patel, MD, PhD, AHN Department Chair of OB/GYN. "Maternal sepsis can progress rapidly and become life-threatening if not recognized early. By strengthening our processes, education and collaboration across disciplines, we are helping ensure that patients receive timely, evidence-based care in critical moments."

AHN Saint Vincent Hospital received a gold designation, recognizing its demonstrated commitment to data-driven population health goals and incorporating patient voice into its maternal quality improvement efforts. AHN Jefferson, AHN Forbes and AHN West Penn earned bronze designations signifying that they consistently met quality improvement submission goals throughout the 12-month designation period.

Designation awards were based on meeting quality improvement milestones between April 2025 and March 2026.

The PA PQC was established to address persistent maternal and neonatal health challenges across Pennsylvania, including maternal sepsis, substance use disorder, infant safe sleep and disparities in maternal and newborn outcomes. Hospitals participating in the collaborative share data and best practices to improve care and advance maternal health throughout the Commonwealth.

"We are proud to recognize the hospitals across Pennsylvania that are leading the way in improving maternal and newborn outcomes in childbirth," said Karen Wolk Feinstein, PhD, president and CEO of the Jewish Healthcare Foundation. "Their commitment to quality improvement and patient-centered care is helping to address some of the most pressing challenges in maternal health. These designations reflect meaningful progress toward safer care for all families in the Commonwealth."

The PA PQC is administered by the Jewish Healthcare Foundation and WHAMglobal and is affiliated with the Northeast PQC.

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About the Pennsylvania Perinatal Quality Collaborative:
The Pennsylvania Perinatal Quality Collaborative (PA PQC) provides quality improvement support to healthcare teams to improve the standard of care for pregnant and postpartum people and babies. Seventy-seven birth sites and NICUs from across the Commonwealth participate in the PA PQC. The PA PQC is administered by the Jewish Healthcare Foundation and WHAMglobal and is affiliated with the Northeast PQC (NEPaPQC).