Hospital’s obstetricians continue delivering goods
Last year, when three local obstetricians announced they would no longer be delivering babies because of a 250 percent increase in malpractice insurance costs, officials at the Uniontown Hospital were supportive but worried. “We sympathized with their dilemma,” said Paul Bacharach, chief executive officer (CEO) and hospital president. “And we’re concerned with the potential impact on access to our hospital, which offers the only obstetrical service in the county.”
From September 2001 to January 2002, 372 babies were born at Uniontown Hospital. During the same time frame, from September 2002 to January 2003, there were 338 births at the hospital – a difference of just 34 births.
“The four obstetricians, who have remained with Uniontown Hospital, are top-notch doctors,” said Lea Walls, director of patient care services for Family Beginnings at the hospital. “Each one has been in practice for more than 20 years, so you know they’re experienced and committed. Some have expanded their practices two-fold in the interest of serving the community.”
Dr. Rajnikant Popat, Dr. Alejandro Patricio, Dr. Bill Kim and Dr. Myoung Kim continue to deliver babies at Uniontown Hospital’s LDR (Labor, Delivery and Recovery) Suites. Meanwhile, the hospital is actively recruiting new obstetricians.
Walls stressed another reason why Uniontown Hospital’s births have remained steady.
“Our seasons are excellent, and so are our outcomes,” Walls said. “We offer progressive services, state-of-the-art equipment and advanced nursing care. Patients who come here have every service – or more – than other LDRs offer.”
Listing some of those services, Walls mentioned childbirth classes, sibling programs, a 16-hour safe-sitter program, a free car seat to everyone who delivers and an eighth-grade program aimed at lowing teen-age pregnancies.
One program that Walls is particularly proud of is the hospital’s lactation program.
“We have three certified lactation consultants,” she said. “And we have four people certified in lactational monitoring.”
“We have a contemporary LDR facility, excellent doctors, extensive support and educational programs,” added Bacharach. “We are continuing our commitment to this vital health care service.”