With the October opening of the Baptist DeSoto obstetrical emergency department, expectant moms can now receive highly tailored, specialized care when experiencing an emergency during pregnancy.
A first for the hospital, this OB ED provides a higher level of care.
“The OB ED is an extension of the hospital but is also like an after-hours clinic. We specialize in pregnant women, giving them more precise attention,” said Dr. Blake Smith, who leads the new service.
Smith said doctors see expectant moms who experience a wide range of issues during pregnancy, from a common cold to labor pains—even a squirrel bite.
The OB ED is staffed by board-certified, specially trained OB/GYN hospitalists who provide 24/7 support and coverage for the labor and delivery department. These doctors are called hospitalists because they only practice in the hospital, rather than in a physician’s office, and must meet yearly continuing medical education requirements. Eight doctors will rotate through the OB ED to maintain the 24/7 coverage.
The OB/GYN hospitalists also provide additional expertise and support for under-served patients who haven’t had prenatal care, as well as the labor and delivery nursing team and local OB/GYNs who deliver babies at Baptist DeSoto. For women who have a regular OB/GYN, the Baptist DeSoto doctors will work hand-in-hand with a patient’s doctor during and after the visit.
As word spreads about the new OB ED, so does the excitement.
“The OB/GYNs are very excited about it,” said Dr. Joann Wood, Baptist DeSoto’s chief medical officer.
