CVRMC APT Recertified: How CVRMC Is Setting the Standard for Maternal and Neonatal Health

At Cobre Valley Regional Medical Center (CVRMC), the mission to provide compassionate, high-quality maternal and neonatal care isn’t just a goal—it’s a commitment backed by ongoing training, community dedication, and national standards of excellence.

A Commitment to Quality

While many rural hospitals across the country are being forced to close their obstetric units, CVRMC continues to prioritize labor and delivery services for local families. That dedication to providing care close to home is part of what sets the hospital apart.

One of the ways CVRMC maintains its high standard of care is through participation in a rigorous certification process with a statewide perinatal organization. This certification, called the Arizona Perinatal Trust, is valid for three years and requires hospitals to undergo a thorough review process involving multiple healthcare professionals, including neonatal and labor nurses, physicians, and in-house providers like pediatricians and OB/GYNs.

During the review, experts tour the unit, examine hospital policies and procedures, and make recommendations for improvement based on best practices. The process helps ensure that patient care remains aligned with the most current medical guidelines and safety standards.

Why Certification Matters

Certification isn’t just a badge—it’s a signal to the community that the hospital meets and exceeds high standards for perinatal care. It reinforces CVRMC’s culture of safety and learning by encouraging continuous improvement and offering access to educational resources like simulations and updated protocols. These include important drills for emergencies like postpartum hemorrhage, hypertensive disorders, and neonatal resuscitation.

Importantly, it also helps the hospital develop strong policies and practices that directly improve outcomes for mothers and babies.

Rural—and Growing

Unlike many rural hospitals that are downsizing or eliminating OB services altogether, CVRMC is growing. The hospital’s administration has made a clear and continued investment in maternity care, ensuring the community retains access to local, high-quality labor and delivery options.

That growth is not typical for rural hospitals. In fact, the Center for Healthcare Quality & Payment Reform (CHQPR) reports that only 46% of rural hospitals nationwide still offer labor and delivery services—a sharp decline over the past decade. CVRMC stands out not only for maintaining these services but for expanding them.

Training for the Unexpected

In labor and delivery, no two days are the same. At CVRMC, nurses are trained to handle it all—admissions, deliveries, postpartum care, outpatient services, emergencies, and more. Because of the wide-ranging demands of OB work, training is constant and comprehensive. The team regularly participates in simulations and quarterly trainings to prepare for high-stakes situations that may be rare but require immediate, expert response.

That preparation is further supported by participation in the RMOMS program (Rural Maternity and Obstetrics Management Strategies), which helps rural hospitals like CVRMC strengthen their prenatal and maternity care offerings through access to expert resources and training.

Community, Compassion, and Camaraderie

What truly sets CVRMC apart, however, is the people. The hospital’s OB unit operates like a family—both in how they support one another and how they care for patients.

Many nurses and providers are lifelong members of the community. They choose to stay and serve here—not because they have to, but because they believe in the mission. The camaraderie among staff is evident; the team communicates seamlessly and works with trust and empathy in even the most intense situations.

Behind every birth, every emergency response, and every check-up is a team that treats patients like their own family—because to them, they are.

Want to learn more about how CVRMC supports families in our community?

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