The OB ED, which has been accepting patients since September, was created to cut ED wait times and provide a more consistent level of care, said Jennifer Huber, RN, nurse manager at Covenant Health System. Since it opened, the OB ED has averaged 200 to 300 patients per month, Ms. Huber said.
Prior to the OB ED, nurses triaged pregnant patients before they saw a physician, if they saw a physician at all, said Gina Smith, director of nursing at CCH. Now, an on-site physician eliminates the need to call one in for an emergency procedure or to provide care for pregnancy complications, Ms. Smith said.
The OB ED treats belly pains, pre-eclampsia, decreased fetal movement and patients who think they may be going into labor.
“To be able to come in and immediately get seen by your OB is reassuring,” Ms. Smith added.
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