Saint Francis Medical Center completed an expansion of its Family BirthPlace this week, increasing the total number of private patient rooms to 16. The expansion also includes a two-bay triage area and another swing room that can serve as a labor, delivery, recovery and postpartum (LDRP) suite or triage room. The LDRP suites are the largest private patient rooms in the region.
The Family BirthPlace at Saint Francis has seen a rapid increase in volume during the past few years, and now the growing number of expectant mothers and their medical providers will have more space with which to welcome their new arrivals.
“The additional space was very much needed, and we are excited about the triage areas,” states Jessica H. Lemmons, MD, FACOG, obstetrician/gynecologist with Cape Care for Women, a Saint Francis medical partner. “The expansion will provide us with more flexibility to keep postpartum mothers in the LDRP longer when appropriate, as opposed to moving them to alternate rooms in the Medical Center.”
The expansion became necessary as the Family BirthPlace’s delivery numbers continued to skyrocket. The department’s 874 births in 2010 represented a 16 percent increase over the previous record of 752 set in 2009, and an 82 percent increase over the 481 births recorded in 2005. The Family BirthPlace opened in 2001, after 35 years without obstetric services.
“The Family BirthPlace offers the full spectrum of family-centered care,” says Cathy Abrams, RN, BSN, MS, director of Maternal and Child Health Services at Saint Francis. “The LDRP suites can accommodate several family members, and our Level III Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) is on the same floor in case of an emergency.” Continues Abrams, “The new space has allowed us to add new programs to educate parents, such as a discharge brunch, where everyday mothers and their significant others receive important teaching on how to care for both mom and baby upon leaving the Medical Center.”
With expert input from physicians and feedback from moms, the expansion augments the advanced technologies and unparalleled obstetric care available from a highly trained staff of specialists. The expanded facility offers mom-approved amenities, including private bathrooms; private whirlpools or showers; TV and DVD players; specially designed, comfortable beds; daily quiet time to promote mother-baby bonding and gift baskets for moms.
“We anticipate delivery volumes will continue to increase.” Abrams says. “Our focus will remain on providing excellent care for babies and their families.”