We are proud to share that the Washington State Department of Health, Health Care Authority and Washington State Hospital Association have recognized Skagit Valley Hospital as a Center of Excellence for Perinatal Substance Use.

This recognition demonstrates the commitment our hospital has made to support the complex and challenging health needs of pregnant women with a substance use disorder. Skagit Valley Hospital is the latest Washington hospital to achieve this designation.

Centers of Excellence follow these best practices:

• Women who give birth at the hospital are verbally screened for substance use disorder, mood disorders, anxiety and depression.
• A health care provider who can manage medications that treat opioid use disorder is on-site or on-call.
• The mother and infant room together unless one of them must be in an intensive care unit.
• The hospital supports breastfeeding for mothers who are on medication to treat opioid use disorder.
• The hospital requires the use of non-pharmacological interventions as the first line of treatment for withdrawal symptoms in the infant.
• The hospital care team is familiar with current guidelines for notifying and reporting to child welfare services, including having family-centered dialogue about what to expect.
• A care coordination system is in place to ensure patients schedule postpartum appointments before they leave the hospital.
• OB providers and nursess receive education on respectful and equitable care for pregnant and postpartum women with substance use disorders.

To learn more about this certificate, visit the Washington State Department of Health website: Centers of Excellence for Perinatal Substance Use | Washington State Department of Health.