Patient and physician benefits include 24 hours a day, seven days a week and a one-call process for referring physicians to initiate transport.
“In utero transport of babies at risk for premature delivery to high-risk facilities has been shown to significantly improve the overall perinatal outcome for deliveries occurring preterm, particularly when the gestation is less than 34 weeks,” said Program Director Michael Livingston, MD.
The Baptist (Level III B) program provides an invaluable resource to referring obstetricians, particularly those who practice in locations where there are limited resources to handle perinatal complications that can substantially affect both mothers and babies. After delivery, the patient returns to her referring physician for further services.
Baptist is a member of the Vermont Oxford Network, an international collaborative of more 700 hospitals around the world, whose mission is to improve the quality and safety of medical care for newborn infants and their families. Through this membership, Baptist’s staff is kept up to date with the newest information related to evidence-based practices for newborns.
On staff at Baptist Medical Center’s Perinatal Center are board certified specialists in Maternal Fetal Medicine (Perinatology). These physicians work with a comprehensive health care team including board certified obstetricians, neonatologists, clinical psychologists, neonatal nurse practitioners, specially trained registered nurses, dedicated respiratory therapists, case managers and social workers just to name a few. Additionally, Baptist Medical Center has the only March of Dimes NICU Family Support Specialist in the state of Mississippi.
Transportation for the high-risk mother to Baptist’s Perinatal Cancer is available via ground transportation from the referring hospital through their local ambulance service or private car.
“While you are at Baptist, you will be seen by physicians specializing in your care and in the care of your baby. All physicians on staff at Baptist are board certified in their areas of specialty,” Dr. Livingston added. “The physicians at Baptist will provide regular reports to your doctor about you and your baby’s progress.”
For more information call the Baptist Health Line at 601-948-6262 or visit www.mbhs.org. Listen to Dr. Livingston’s podcast on “High Risk Pregnancy Care” at www.mbhs.org/insideout.
