RAVENNA, Ohio — University Hospitals has revealed plans to consolidate labor and delivery services from the UH Portage Medical Center in Ravenna to UH Geauga Medical Center in Chardon.
This means these health services will end at UH Portage Medical Center on Nov. 12, 2022.
“Stresses on health care systems locally and nationally, including persistent workforce shortages and declining volumes, have made it difficult for UH to continue to provide the resources needed to deliver the experience our patients deserve,” UH said in a press release. “National data shows patient experience improves when the number of similar procedures performed at a facility increases. Consolidating the Portage and Geauga labor and delivery teams to Geauga will allow the focus and resources needed for the highest level of care for mothers, babies and their families.”
Despite this change, UH Portage will still offer the following women / children services:
- OB/GYN and midwife care
- GYN surgical
- Breastfeeding and lactation
“Our goal through this transition is to continue providing mothers the experience and quality of care they expect and deserve,” said Bill Benoit, Chief Operating Officer, UH South Market. “We’re confident this move will benefit all of our patients in a changing health care environment.”
UH says caregivers who work in labor and delivery at the Portage location will have the option to find other opportunities at that facility or transfer to another location within the health system.
“University Hospitals remains fully committed to providing the very best care for expectant mothers and their babies,” said Patti DePompei, RN, MSN, President, UH Rainbow Babies & Children’s and UH MacDonald Women’s hospitals. “Our providers will work directly with patients to coordinate labor and delivery care at UH Geauga Medical Center. Our top priorities are ensuring a positive birth experience that begins with the support of our dedicated and talented labor and delivery staff."
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Editor's note: Video in the player above was originally published in an unrelated story on Sept. 14, 2022.