EAU CLAIRE, Wis (WCFW) – The Eau Claire location of Marshfield Medical Center was among six in the state recognized for providing high-quality maternity care.

On Thursday, June 5, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services recognized the organization’s locations in Eau Claire, Rice Lake, Marshfield, Weston, Minocqua and Beaver Dam as “Birthing-Friendly” hospitals.

The Eau Claire and Marshfield locations further received recognition for maternity care excellence. The Eau Claire location’s team also earned Advanced Certification in Perinatal Care, recognizing their commitment to integrated, evidence-based care in both uncomplicated and high-risk pregnancies.

According to the press release, hospitals that receive the recognition must participate in a statewide or national perinatal quality improvement collaborative and implement evidence-based practices that enhance maternal safety.

Following the closure of HSHS Sacred Heart Hospital and HSHS St. Joseph’s Hospital last year, a number of healthcare providers in the Chippewa Valley expressed concerns about strain on labor services.

In response to the closures, Marshfield Medical Center announced it would expand its delivery services from eight beds to 20 beds. The increased capacity allowed the organization to assist in an additional 550 births each year. A number of other healthcare providers in the region also began to increase their delivery service capacity in response to the closures, as well as emergency services and urgent care departments.

More than a year later, plans for new hospitals in the Chippewa Valley are still in development. The Chippewa Valley Health Cooperative will announce their decision on potentially reopening St. Joseph’s Hospital in the coming weeks. The cooperative is also developing an independent, community hospital in Lake Hallie, and Aspirus Health is planning another new hospital in Chippewa Falls.

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Eau Claire Marshfield Clinic Hospital Recognized for Birth Services