Milford Regional recognized for treatment of substance-exposed infants

Milford Regional Medical Center was recognized for its treatment of drug-exposed infants.

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By Laura Finaldi

Milford Regional Medical Center has been recognized for its treatment of infants exposed to drugs or alcohol while in the womb.

The recognition came from the Vermont Oxford Network, a nonprofit collaboration of health care professionals with a focus on neonatal care. In 2015, Milford Regional got involved with a quality improvement collaborative sponsored by the nonprofit, which brought together 110 centers nationwide to improve the care of substance abuse-exposed infants through live webinars, structured improvement programs and audits of local practice outcomes.

The hospital has a neonatal abstinence syndrome care program called Baby Steps, which helps referred families prepare to care for children exposed to drugs, alcohol or medications, including patients receiving methadone or suboxone treatment. The program emphasizes inpatient family recovery, with the goal of mom and baby going home together, according to Milford Regional.

According to Milford Regional, the use of opioids among pregnant women has escalated, and as a result the number of babies born experiencing signs of opioid withdrawal has increased.

The designation is awarded to centers who train at least 85 percent of their designated care team through an online platform composed of 17 critical learning lessons. Milford Regional trained 100 percent of its team, or 40 providers within a variety of specialties, including maternity nurses, obstetricians, gynecologists and pediatricians.