Altru Health System Recognized for Higher Quality and Cost-Efficiency in Maternity Care
Staff Report
Grand Forks- Altru Health System is proud to be recognized by Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Dakota with a Blue Distinction® Centers+ (BDC+) for Maternity Care designation, as part of the Blue Distinction Specialty Care program.
“We are beyond thankful for this recognition,” said Janice Hamscher, Chief Nursing Officer at Altru Health System. “It shows the care our providers put into our community by giving high quality and low-cost healthcare to our expectant mothers and their babies.”
Racial and ethnic disparities are persistent and widespread across maternal healthcare, primarily driven by socioeconomic status, geographic location, and implicit provider bias. Compared to similarly developed countries such as Canada, Germany, and Australia, the United State has the highest maternal mortality rate (MMR), at approximately 17.4 deaths per 100,000 live births, with the MMR steadily increasing since 2000. According to the CDC, non-Hispanic Black women are two to three times more likely to die from preventable or treatable pregnancy-related complications compared to white women.