Naval Hospital Jacksonville has been recognized by the Immunization Action Coalition (IAC) for achieving one of the highest reported rates in Florida for its work to protect newborns from hepatitis B virus infection.

“I’m incredibly proud of our Maternal Infant Unit team, which provides outstanding care to moms and babies,” said Capt. Matthew Case, NH Jacksonville commander. “That includes immunizations, to protect newborns from hepatitis B.”

NH Jacksonville is the newest entry into IAC’s Birth Dose Honor Roll, which recognizes hospitals and birthing centers that have attained high coverage levels for administering the hepatitis B vaccine at birth. NH Jacksonville immunized 93 percent of babies in calendar year 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. “Naval Hospital Jacksonville’s commitment to the best practice of hepatitis B vaccination at birth has shown them to be a leader in preventing the transmission of the hepatitis B virus.”

NH Jacksonville was the first hospital on Florida’s First Coast to earn “Baby Friendly” designation from Baby Friendly USA, for promoting breastfeeding and infant health. The hospital offers skin-to-skin cesarean sections, with operating suites that include the option of see-through draping that allows mom to see baby’s first breath and first cry, without compromising the sterile environment needed for surgery. The hospital also offers nitrous oxide as a pain management option during labor. Moms can self-administer nitrous oxide with a face mask, and can try another pain relief method if desired.

Naval Hospital Jacksonville and Navy Medicine Readiness and Training Command Jacksonville deliver quality health care, in an integrated system of readiness and health.  NH Jacksonville includes five branch health clinics across Florida and Georgia. It serves 163,000 active-duty and retired sailors, Marines, soldiers, airmen, guardsmen, and their families, including about 83,000 patients who are enrolled with a primary care manager.  To find out more, visit www.med.navy.mil/sites/navalhospitaljax. 

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