Bayhealth recently launched an OB hospitalist program at Bayhealth Hospital, Kent Campus through its partnership with OB Hospitalist Group (OBHG). The OB hospitalists, which are board-certified obstetricians, provide coverage in the Labor & Delivery (L&D) unit as well as in the Emergency and Trauma Center (ED) 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
In the L&D unit, they’re available for obstetrical emergencies and can care for pregnant women who don’t have a primary doctor and are over 16 weeks gestation to ensure a safe delivery for mother and baby. The OB hospitalists also assist midwives until the primary provider can get to the hospital and support other OB doctors as requested, such as by performing C-sections.
In the ED, the OB hospitalists are available to see gynecologic patients and OB patients who are less than 16 weeks gestation if they don’t have a primary doctor. The OB hospitalists may also be consulted for any medically unstable pregnant patient who is over 16 weeks gestation and being evaluated for a medical concern.
“The OB hospitalist program helps us ensure we’re delivering the highest level of safety and care to our patients since these highly qualified and trained specialists are onsite and available to assist our patients and other providers, as needed, no matter the time of day or night,” said Bayhealth Senior Director of Women’s and Children’s Services Cheryl Hewlett, PhD, MBA, MSN, RN, NEA-BC.
The OB hospitalists at Bayhealth Hospital, Kent Campus include new physicians to the area and ones who have been working at Bayhealth Hospital, Sussex Campus (formerly Bayhealth Milford Memorial) since Bayhealth’s partnership with OBHG began several years ago. Eventually, OB hospitalist services will be provided in an Obstetrical Emergency Department (OBED) that will be built and opened on the fifth floor of Bayhealth Hospital, Kent Campus later this year.
Visit Bayhealth.org/Maternity-Obstetrics to learn more about this and the other services Bayhealth provides to expectant women in our community.
