Allen County Regional Hospital has been recognized by the Immunization Action Coalition (IAC) and the Kansas Department of Health for achieving one of the highest reported rates in the state for its work to protect newborns from hepatitis B virus infection
Were proud to be one of only 19 hospitals in Kansas to be recognized, and were the only hospital in the southeast part of the state, said Tina Poe, RN, Obstetrics Nursing Manager.
ACRH is the newest entry into IACs Birth Dose Honor Roll, which recognizes hospitals and birthing centers that have attained high coverage levels for administering the hepatitis B vaccine at birth. ACRH immunized 94% of babies between Jan. 1 and Dec. 31, 2018, and took additional steps to prevent perinatal transmission of hepatitis B.
The national standard of care to prevent hepatitis B virus infection in babies is to administer hepatitis B vaccine to all newborns before they leave the hospital or birthing center. This standard is being adopted by centers of healthcare excellence nationwide as a safety net to protect newborns from a wide range of medical errors that lead to babies being unprotected from perinatal hepatitis B infection.
Hospitals and birthing centers have a responsibility to protect babies from life-threatening hepatitis B infection, said Deborah Wexler, MD, executive director and founder of IAC.
