Hospital highlights

I wanted to let you know about our fabulous Obstetrical services. We have three board-certified family medicine physicians who also received advanced training in obstetrical services. They not only perform vaginal deliveries, but also are qualified to perform c-sections.

Whitman Hospital and Medical Center was recently recognized for a best practice in safety for obstetrics. We along with Washington State hospitals, physicians and expectant mothers have teamed up to deliver a dramatic increase in the number of babies born at full term, 39 weeks.

This change came about because of new research demonstrating the short and long term hazards of delivery prior to 39 weeks. The 2011 best practice goal was set at seven percent or lower. Whitman Hospital’s 2011 fourth quarter rate was zero percent.

“Babies need time to mature,” said Dr. Jeff Thompson, Chief Medical Officer, Washington State Health Care Authority. “At 37 weeks, the brain weighs 20 percent less than at 40 weeks. Babies who are delivered early without a medical need are at risk”.

At WHMC, we deliver babies 36 weeks or greater gestation. In addition, our physicians collaborate with obstetricians and perinatologists at Providence Sacred Heart Medical Center whenever needed.

“The end of a pregnancy can be tough physically and emotionally for some mothers. Because medical science advanced to help small babies survive, obstetric providers and mothers in the past would agree to deliver the baby two or three weeks early to relieve some of the physical and emotional discomforts of the last weeks of pregnancy,” said Carol Wagner, R.N., Senior Vice President for Patient Safety at the Washington State Hospital Association. “But babies’ lungs, liver, ears, and eyes need time to develop. At the end of pregnancy, babies add body fat so they can stay warm, and develop the skills to suck and swallow.”

The effort to reduce early elective deliveries is a partnership between physicians, the Washington State Hospital Association, the Washington State Health Care Authority, the Washington State Department of Health, the March of Dimes, midwives, and regional perinatal coordinating nurses. It remains an ongoing focus for statewide quality improvement in obstetrics.

Debbie Glass, CEO

Whitman Hospital and Medical Center