Maternal Child Pavilion

Maternal/Child Health and Perinatal Services

The Perinatal and Maternal/Child programs at Medical Center Health Care Services consist of two distinct programs. The Perinatal Program addresses the needs of the woman experiencing a high-risk pregnancy. The program provides home care services to the pregnant woman in an effort to attain an optimal pregnancy outcome. The Maternal/Child program provides postpartum home care services in the form of education, counseling and skilled nursing care for the high-risk neonate or the postpartum patient who is experiencing post delivery complications.

Perinatal Home Care Services

The perinatal team consists of highly skilled obstetrical nurses who have received specialized training in home uterine monitoring devices, micro-infusion pumps and the very specific protocols developed for women requiring these therapies at home. The program addresses a multitude of pregnancy complications. Ongoing, skilled nursing assessment and education are of paramount importance to the success of each individual client's outcome. The perinatal nurses work closely with the client's physician and other disciplines. Many of the clients receiving services from the perinatal team have contact with a nurse at least once a day. A perinatal nurse is on - call 24 hours per day seven days a week to answer questions and make home visits as needed.

• Hyperemesis Gravidarum
  The hyperemetic patient is treated at home with IV fluids when ordered by a physician. The patient may also receive Reglan therapy via a micro-infusion pump. The patient is monitored for the effectiveness of treatment by the perinatal staff. The physician receives reports on a regular basis.
  
  
• Gestational Diabetes
  The gestational diabetic receives nutritional counseling and nursing assessment. The patient receives a glucose monitor from the agency and is taught self-glucose monitoring. If insulin therapy is ordered, the perinatal nursing staff teach the client self-injection techniques and monitor the client for compliance and effectiveness of the therapy. The findings are reported to the physician.
  
  
• Pregnancy Induced Hypertension
  Clients are taught self blood pressure monitoring. The perinatal nurses teach the client to monitor her urine for protein. Findings are reported to the physician on a regular basis. The client receives ongoing monitoring and education by the nursing staff.
  
  
• Preterm Labor/Multiple Gestation
  The client experiencing uterine irritability due to multiple gestation or preterm labor will be taught self-palpation techniques. In the event that the client is experiencing true preterm labor or more than a twin multiple gestation, the client may be placed on home uterine monitoring with special medications to prevent preterm labor. The nursing staff will begin the medication administration in the hospital as ordered by the physician. The client is taught independent management of the therapy. When the client is discharged to her home, she is placed on a home uterine monitoring device. The client monitors twice a day and transmits the findings to the monitoring center where a perinatal nurse assesses the findings and makes suggestions for treatment according to the parameters set by the physician. When needed, the physician may be contacted for additional orders.
  
  
• Additional Therapies and Services
  Non-stress testing in the home is a service offered to the clients when they are homebound and require monitoring. Heparin therapy is also available and administered as a continuous subcutaneous infusion via the micro-infusion pump. Nursing visits may be made to the woman experiencing a normal pregnancy for the purpose of education and preparation for the impending delivery.

Maternal/Child Services and Post NICU Services

The Maternal/Child team consists of experienced maternity nurses, nurses who are certified lactation consultants and a full compliment of nurses who have extensive NICU experience with homecare training. The home health aides working with the MCH team have received more than ten hours of specialized training. The program addresses the educational needs of the well mom and newborn including a full assessment of both mother and baby and a complete package of educational information. This program like the perinatal provides a wide range of services.

• Well Mother/Baby Visits
  These visits are made by maternity nurses who are accustomed to addressing the educational, social and emotional needs of the postpartum client. An assessment of both mother and baby are done on these visits. When problems are identified, follow-up visits are made or the client is referred to appropriate community resources. It is not uncommon for nurses to identify the need for laboratory work. Physician's orders are obtained and specimens collected.
  
  
• Laboratory Testing
  Laboratory tests may be obtained in the home when ordered by the physician.
  
  
• Lactation Visits
  Women who are identified as having difficulty breastfeeding may receive the services of a certified lactation consultant. The lactation consultants are available to make home visits seven days a week. The lactation consultants are also available to the pregnant woman who feels that she needs a breast assessment and preparation for breastfeeding.
  
  
• Home Phototherapy
  Home phototherapy may be implemented in the home when ordered by a physician for hyperbilirubinemia in the newborn. The Wallaby Blanket is used. Bilirubins are obtained on a daily basis until the therapy is discontinued. The nursing staff teaches the baby's primary caregiver use of the equipment as well as important safety information and the importance of nutrition and hydration. The nurse maintains daily contact with the referring physician.
  
  
• Mother's Assistance Program
  Specifically trained Home Health Aides are available to assist the new mother with infant care. The Home Health Aide (HHA) may care for the mother, the newborn or a sibling. The home health aides have been trained to teach the mother the basics of infant care and safety under the direct supervision of an RN. Light housekeeping is also considered part of the HHA's duties.
  
  
• Post NICU Program
  Infants discharged from the NICU are visited in their home by an experienced NICU nurse. A complete nursing assessment is performed. Continued evaluation and parental education is provided. Private duty nursing services are also offered under the Post NICU Program. This type of home care is delivered on an hourly basis by experienced NICU Registered Nurses to those infants requiring intensive clinical management at home on a short term or long term basis.
  

Medical Center Health Care Programs and Services

• Skilled Nursing Visits
• Private Duty Registered Nurse
  
• Private Duty Licensed Practical Nurse
  
• Perinatal Service
  
• Maternal Child Health Care
  
• Lactation Consultation
  
• Early Maternity Discharge
  
• Pulse Oximetry
  
• Apnea Monitoring
  
• Phototherapy
  
• Post Neonatal Intensive Care Critical Pathway
  
• Mother's Assistance Program
  
• Care of the Pediatric Patient
  
• High Tech Services
  
• Ventilator Care
  
• Venipuncture
  
• Physical Therapy
  
• Occupational therapy
  
• Speech Therapy
  
• Registered Dietician
  
• Medical Social Worker

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