TheIndependent.com

4 BABY BOOK 2018 www.theindependent.com The Grand Island Independent FRIDAY, January 25, 2019 By Robert Pore robert.pore@theindependent.com AURORA—Last year, the National Rural Health Association reported the number of rural hospitals without an obstetrics unit —or any obstetrics care —was growing, at what they said was, “an alarming rate, placing expecting mothers at risk.” While more than half a million ba- bies are born in rural hospitals annu- ally, the NRHA reports more than half of rural counties have nohospital-based obstetrics services in the most vulner- able communities. The NRHA said the shortage of rural hospital-based obstet- rics services especially impacts low-in- come, minority, remote individuals and families and can have what they called “a devastating effect on the health of both the mother and the infant.” The NRHA said there were a vari- ety of reasons why more rural obstet- rics units were closing across the country: n DecliningBirthRates: Thoughmore than half a million babies are born in rural areas annually, rural populations are overall experiencing a decline. As a result, there are a declining number of births in rural areas. n Costly Service: More than half of rural births are services covered un- derMedicaid, and reimbursement rates for rural hospitals are a continuing issue. n Hospital Closure: Obstetrics units are high-cost, low-volume units at a hos- pital. In efforts to keep a hospital open, administrators will often choose first to close their obstetric care. One area rural hospital, Memorial Community Health of Aurora, is work- ing hard to keep its facility as a place women can get the best care for them- selves and their children. “When I think about the challenges of offering obstetrics in a rural hospi- tal since the number of deliveries is smaller than in larger cities, I always think first about maintaining the com- petencies of our staff inmanaging the normal and the unexpected,” said Di- ane Keller, hospital CEO. Keller said Memorial is committed to “ensuring that the service we offer is the safest and the highest quality we can possibly provide.” “Our staff works hard with a vari- ety of trainingmethods and skills prac- tice to ensure our patients that we are ready to meet high standards of care,” she said. Jessica Thomas, BSN, RN, CLC, OB Supervisor at Memorial, said from the time a woman first learns she is preg- nant, Memorial, starting with its clin- ics,workswiththemother-to-be through- out until the baby’s birth, and also through the follow-up care. That individualized one-on-one care is designed to make the patient more comfortable about having a baby. It has also reflected a philosophy of care that includes: n Providing obstetrics service close to home. n Having the same provider for mother and baby (five familymedicine Aurora hospital continues to improve its obstetrics services Independent/Barrett Stinson Registered nurse Allyson Wilson demon- strates how a mother can lower the side of a Halo Bassinest to get their baby in one of the two birthing suites at Aurora’s Memorial Community Hospital (pictured at right), which was recently recognized with a 2018 Rural Provider Excellence in Quality Award. n turn to RURAL HOSPITALS, page 13