The CMO of 75-bed Sonoma (Calif.) Valley Hospital, part of the Sonoma Valley Hospital District, responded to concerns over the hospital's decision to close its obstetrics department in an op-ed published in the Sonoma Index-Tribune July 30.
The hospital's board approved plans to end its obstetrics services by Oct. 31. Women scheduled to give birth at the hospital have been notified of the decision, and staff is working with them to find alternative options. Officials have also notified surrounding hospitals and arranged transfer agreements in some cases.
Sonoma Valley Hospital CMO Sabrina Kidd, MD, discussed the hospital's plans to ensure patients undergo a smooth transition in an op-ed for the publication. She noted hospitals nationwide have cut services, such as their OB department, but kept their emergency department, allowing patients in need of emergency obstetrics services to obtain care.
"Many small and large hospitals locally and nationally have ER services but not obstetrics. Fortunately, the scenario of precipitous ER delivery is actually quite rare, and the experience of other institutions has demonstrated that we are unlikely to see an increase in complications or precipitous deliveries in our ER as a result of this closure," she wrote. "Handling an emergency delivery is a required part of every ER physician's training and something our emergency physicians and nurses are already trained to handle."
To aid in the transition, Dr. Kidd wrote all of the hospital's medical staff and physicians will be provided additional obstetrics education during the next three months to ensure a smooth transition. For example, the ER nursing staff will have refresher training in labor and delivery, and newborn care.
Dr. Kidd said the hospital ER will also house emergency neonatal equipment should staff need to provide emergency obstetrics services.
To access Dr. Kidd's op-ed, click here.