NEENAH, Wis. – To ensure access to innovative emergency obstetrical care, ThedaCare is pleased to announce the creation of an Obstetrical Emergency Department (OB-ED) and Hospitalist Program. The addition of these hospital-based women’s services can help ThedaCare continue providing comprehensive, safe care for expectant mothers and babies in Northeast and Central Wisconsin.
“This program has the potential to impact not only our generation, but generations to come,” said Lynn Detterman, Senior Vice President of the ThedaCare South Region. “The commitment to implementing the OB-ED and Hospitalist Program can lead to healthier mothers and babies. And that will ultimately lead to healthier communities, which is ThedaCare’s mission. We are proud to enhance and create services to support our vision.”
ThedaCare is working with provider partners to develop best practices in care for expectant mothers, which can help improve patient outcomes and experience, and continue advancing maternal care in the area. Typically located in a labor and delivery unit, providers in the OB-ED can care for pregnant women who come to the hospital for obstetrical concerns such as abdominal pain or bleeding. The program would operate around the clock, and be staffed by board-certified physician specialists.
“The OB-ED and Hospitalist Program can redefine the standard of women’s care in the
hospital setting to help continue safe patient care,” said Dr. Eric Eberts, Department Chair of Obstetrics at ThedaCare. “Because a trained physician evaluates every patient, our goal is that expectant mothers can leave the hospital with peace of mind, focusing on the health and well-being of their family.”
Through this OB-ED and program, women who are more than 16 weeks pregnant would
bypass the emergency department and go directly to an obstetrical triage area located in the Family Birth Center at ThedaCare Regional Medical Center-Neenah. This program will supplement the care of a woman’s OB provider. Her doctor will continue to provide care in the facility. The program ensures a highly specialized doctor to be available to evaluate a woman immediately, without waiting for the patient’s doctor to arrive on site, or providing a consultation over-the-phone.
“The OB-ED and hospitalist program can help ensure that expectant mothers continue to receive timely, specialized care for themselves and their babies,” said Dr. Eberts. “We will have providers with the patient, ready to step in to provide care and help improve outcomes and peace of mind.”
Dr. Eberts noted that the program aims to provide support for ThedaCare’s other hospitals, including those in rural communities. For example, providers can deliver telehealth consultations alongside providers at other campuses.
In 2022, ThedaCare announced a $100 million investment to enhance and expand services at ThedaCare Regional Medical Center-Neenah. As a part of the Modernization Project, the Family Birth Center at ThedaCare Regional Medical Center-Neenah will be updated, which will include the addition of triage beds for the OB-ED.
Enhancements to better the patient experience at ThedaCare Regional Medical Center-
Neenah were funded in part through generous donors who support the ThedaCare
Foundation-Neenah. Donors have already graciously contributed more than $15M to date,
and continue to work with our community to provide everyone an opportunity to invest in this historic campaign.
