Saint Joseph scores 97/100 in optimal infant nutrition

Saint Joseph has scored a 97 out of 100 in the CDC's 2024 Maternity Practices in Infant Nutrition and Care survey, known as the mPINC. This score is 15 points higher than the national average, 18 points higher than the regional average and 13 points higher than the average among similar-sized hospitals.

“Saint Joseph Hospital always has been a leader in high-quality care of mothers and their newborn infants, and our excellent mPINC scores reflect this,” said Ashley Lock-Smith, MD, Pediatrics and medical director of our Newborn Nursery. “Our department is committed to providing dedicated support for mothers and infants as they start their breastfeeding journey, beginning immediately after birth.”

The CDC's national mPINC survey assesses maternity care practices across the United States. It also provides feedback to encourage hospitals to improve breastfeeding support. About every two years, the CDC invites all eligible hospitals across the US to complete the mPINC survey. The questions focus on specific maternity care practices that affect how babies are fed. This year, 2,070 hospitals completed the survey.

Based on the responses, hospitals receive an overall grade as well as subset grades for immediate postpartum care, rooming in, feeding practices, feeding education, discharge support and institutional management.

“We utilize a strong lactation department that supports families while they’re inpatients as well as after they’re discharged, offer extensive education for caregivers and clinicians, and are dedicated to being a Baby Friendly hospital,” said Lock-Smith. “I am so proud and appreciative of our caregivers and clinicians for helping our families navigate the early bonding and feeding of their newborns while providing excellent evidence-based care.”

Physicians interested in reviewing the highlights of the report can click the button below.

Thank you to all practitioners on Mom/Baby for providing our new families with the best-possible care! Those interested in learning more about the hospital’s commitment to infant nutrition can contact Lock-Smith via email.