HCA HealthONE Aurora recognized for breastfeeding support

HCA HealthONE Aurora has received the Colorado Hospital Breastfeeding Excellence Platinum Award from the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE), recognizing the hospital's commitment to evidence-based maternity care and breastfeeding support.

CDPHE presented the award Sept. 16 as part of the Colorado Hospital Lactation Collaborative, which recognized 36 Colorado hospitals for policies and practices designed to support breastfeeding and improve care for mothers, babies and families.

The Colorado Hospital Breastfeeding Excellence Award recognizes hospitals every two years based on their implementation of the Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative's Ten Steps to Successful Breastfeeding. HCA HealthONE Aurora received the Platinum Award for incorporating eight of the Ten Steps into its written hospital policies.

The Ten Steps include practices that support families throughout their breastfeeding journey, such as ensuring staff have the knowledge, skills and competencies to support breastfeeding; facilitating immediate and uninterrupted skin-to-skin contact and helping mothers initiate breastfeeding as soon as possible after birth; helping mothers initiate and maintain breastfeeding and manage common difficulties; and coordinating discharge so parents and infants have timely access to ongoing support and care.

"Our breastfeeding program is strong because of the dedication and expertise of our lactation specialists, who meet each patient where they are and partner with families to support their individual feeding goals," said Jennifer Fugman, chief nursing officer at HCA HealthONE Aurora. "This recognition reflects the hard work of our entire team and their commitment to helping mothers and babies feel supported throughout their care journey."

That support continues after families leave the hospital. As part of its comprehensive approach, HCA HealthONE Aurora offers a breastfeeding support group where families can receive continued support as they navigate breastfeeding after birth.

"Evidence-based hospital practices can make a meaningful difference not only in whether families start breastfeeding, but in how long they continue. The support families receive during their hospital stay can have an impact long after they go home. Our Colorado data show that parents who reported receiving at least five of the Ten Steps during their hospital stay breastfed for approximately three months longer than those who did not," said Stacy Miller, breastfeeding specialist at CDPHE and facilitator of the Colorado Hospital Lactation Collaborative.

Among the 36 hospitals honored, HCA HealthONE Mountain Ridge also received a Platinum Award, reflecting a shared commitment across HCA HealthONE to supporting mothers, babies and families with evidence-based maternity care.

Award levels are based on the number of the Ten Steps incorporated into a hospital's written policies:

• Bronze Award: two steps
• Silver Award: four steps
• Gold Award: six steps
• Platinum Award: eight steps
• Diamond Award: 10 steps

Learn more about the Colorado Hospital Lactation Collaborative at BreastfeedColorado.com. For additional information, contact or .