KMBC: Saint Luke’s East Hospital earns prestigious Missouri “Show-Me 5” Recognition

Saint Luke’s East Hospital has become the first in Eastern Jackson County – and 14th hospital in the state – to earn Missouri Show-Me 5 recognition from the Missouri Department of Health & Senior Services. The award recognizes Saint Luke’s East Hospital as a center of adoption of evidence-based maternity care practices that support breastfeeding.

The Missouri Department of Health & Senior Services designates that Missouri “Show-Me 5” hospital practices include:
•    Helping mothers initiate breastfeeding within the first hour of birth;
•    Practicing “rooming-in” and allowing infants to stay in the same room as moms;
•    Giving infants no food or drink other than breast milk, unless medically indicated;
•    Not giving pacifiers or artificial nipples to breastfeeding infants;
•    Fostering the establishment of breastfeeding support groups and refer mothers to them on discharge. 

Saint Luke’s East Hospital underwent a review by the Missouri Department of Health & Senior Services in order to receive the recognition. The program was designed in response to the U.S. Surgeon General’s 2011 Call to Action to Support Breastfeeding and recognizes maternity care practices designed to support breastfeeding initiation and duration. Only 13 other hospitals in the state of Missouri have achieved this prestigious designation since 2012.