WHS renovation
Washington Health System (WHS) is so serious about giving new mothers and babies top-notch care that they’ve tapped those very women for input on the upcoming $7 million renovation to the obstetrics unit inside WHS Washington Hospital, now known as the CARE Center for Family Birth and Women’s Health.
Back in March of last year, they met regularly with 10 local couples who had recently had babies – some who delivered at WHS, some who did not. They sought to find out what they could do better, how they could build upon the positive experiences and what touches they could give to the new OB unit to give families the best experience possible.
They already have some things to tout, though. In 2017, they delivered nearly 900 babies (a number expected to grow to 1,200 in the next five years), with a C-section rate of 24 percent – that’s considerably lower than the national average of 33 percent. Brahms’ Lullaby rings through the hospital each time a baby is delivered, spreading the good news softly. A Neonatal Resuscitation Specialist attends every delivery at the hospital, just in case the baby has any complications – that’s something that few other community hospitals offer. WHS was also the first hospital in Pennsylvania to offer CertaScan, an enhanced digital footprint technology that is more than just a keepsake.
In addition to those safeguards and special touches, the renovation of the unit is going to really take delivering at WHS to the next level.
“Washington Health System has always placed the highest priority on the health and safety of the women and babies in our care, and that will never change,” says Gary Weinstein, president and CEO of Washington Health System. “This renovation project goes beyond that to emphasize the physical environment of care. For women giving birth, this may be the first time they’ve stayed overnight in the hospital. We want to enhance the very special experience of giving birth with our wonderful team of caregivers by providing an aesthetically pleasing environment for the whole family.”
The focus group recommended keeping the labor and delivery rooms separate from the postpartum rooms, rather than combining them into the “birthing room” model that many hospitals have adopted. “The moms liked the idea of relaxing with their babies in a fresh, calm space that feels more like a hotel than a hospital,” says Leslie Gostic, MSN, RNC-MNN, CBC, Nurse Manager of OB and Women’s Health at WHS.
Going from 17 large rooms to 13 even larger ones will allow each new mother access to a spacious bathroom, upgraded television and added amenities. In the postpartum room, there will be a separate nook where family and friends can gather to meet the new little one, complete with a table, chairs and a sleeper sofa. The space can be curtained off so that visitors don’t have to leave in order to give the new mother privacy to breastfeed or have an exam.
Additionally, something that might not be as noticeable, is the hospital nursery will change to a Level 2 nursery. That means that fewer babies will have to travel to Pittsburgh for treatment – such as those born addicted to opiates, who are considered “moderately ill” with conditions like respiratory trouble, sepsis, low blood sugar or low birth weight. They will be equipped to care for moderately ill babies born at 34 weeks or later, and dedicated medical personnel will be on site, 24/7.
“Our goal was to not separate mom and baby. Now, with a Level 2 nursery, we can keep those babies here,” Gostic says.
The project, which began last fall, is expected to wrap up in the fall of this year. It was done with an ambitious goal of raising $4 million of the $7 million needed through the community. “We feel the goal is realistic given the fact that these are very fast-changing times in health care,” Weinstein says. “Philanthropy from the community is important to the project, and these improvements will help patients, visitors and family members feel more comfortable.”
There’s also something to be said about staying close to home to deliver a baby. WHS is the only provider of maternity care for Washington and Green counties. Otherwise, the options are in Allegheny County or West Virginia.
“The community deserves a great hospital,” says Casey Cadell, CRNP Neonatal Consultant, Neonatology. “Washington Hospital is fabulous, but I believe we can take it to the next level in regards to women’s care. I love this hospital. I love being here.”
It all goes back to the hospital’s mission to be the area’s premier healthcare provider.
“Faced with the choice of hoping to meet new parents’ needs with the facilities we had, or to prepare for the future by renovating our obstetrics unit, we chose to take the steps necessary to anticipate and meet the needs of the families we serve,” Weinstein says. “After all, that’s what we’ve done for 120 years, and that’s what we’ll continue to do.”