CHI Health Mercy Council Bluffs in Iowa will end labor and delivery and Level 2 NICU services Aug. 31.
The Omaha, Neb.-based health system said it will transition those services to its CHI Health birth centers in Omaha, approximately 15 minutes away, which together deliver more than 4,460 babies each year. Patients will continue seeing the same physicians, and prenatal and women’s health services will remain available in Council Bluffs through CHI Health Clinic, according to a statement from CHI Health shared with Becker’s on July 10.
“This was a difficult decision and not one we made lightly,” the system said in the statement. “Despite our ongoing efforts, it has become increasingly difficult to sustain the provider coverage and specialized clinical support needed to operate labor and delivery and Level II NICU services over the long term.”
CHI Health cited challenges around provider availability and specialized clinical coverage as factors in the decision, calling them issues hospitals and health systems across Iowa and the country are facing. The system said it is working directly with every expectant mother to help ensure a smooth transition.
CHI Health is part of Chicago-based CommonSpirit Health.
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