News

March 2010

RELEASE UPON RECEIPT March 4, 2010

For more information, contact: Blair K. Sartory Communications Specialist 618-257-5932

Memorial Hospital Receives Level II Obstetrics Redesignation

(Belleville, Illinois) Memorial Hospital has renewed its Level II Designation in Obstetrics through the Southern Illinois Perinatal Network which is part of the Illinois Department of Public Health and is in a partnership with Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital and St. Mary’s Hospital in Clayton, Missouri.

“Our relationship with the Southern Illinois Perinatal Network provides us with assistance and direction in obstetrical and neonatology care,” said Mary Lou Schmulbach, clinical care director at Memorial. “Because we have a relationship with that team for growth and development of our obstetrical care, we are able to keep our nursing staff up to date and aware of the criteria necessary to care for a higher level of  care for our mothers and babies.“

The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) requires all hospitals to be designated to care for mothers and newborns and has guidelines in place for redesignation as a Level II Obstetrics Unit. Memorial addressed these items including a thorough review policies, procedures and practices in caring for mothers and babies.

Memorial has a Maternity Service Plan which address the different elements of care – which include the type of babies that are cared for, available staff and other maternal and newborn conditions. Some of these conditions include: babies aged 32-34 weeks and older, at the discretion of the obstetrician; preterm babies with respiratory distress and the management of difficult labor. Babies less than 32 weeks old are usually transferred to a higher level of care within the Southern Illinois Perinatal Network.

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