For Immediate Release

CHESTNUT HILL HOSPITAL TRANSITIONS OB SERVICES

TO LEVEL III NICU PROVIDERS

Philadelphia, Penn. (Wednesday, September 3, 2008) – Beginning November 4, 2008, Chestnut Hill Hospital (CHH) will transition all obstetrical services to other area hospitals that can support newborns with Level III neo-natal intensive care. Despite efforts to maintain obstetric services, CHH continues to experience insufficient hospital volumes to offset the financial strains associated with maintaining a low-volume obstetric (OB) service. Transitioning OB will enable CHH to expand its focus and dedicate additional resources to women’s services including comprehensive gynecological (Gyn) services, well-woman exams, annual screenings, peri- and post-menopausal care (hormone replacement and nutrition), Gyn oncology and Gyn surgery.

            The Pennsylvania Department of Health has been given 60-day notice of the closure. During that time, CHH obstetricians and certified nurse midwives will maintain continuity of care for existing obstetric patients and assist new OB patients with making alternative plans. CHH is making arrangements with area Hospitals to extend their OB services to accept new patients. The care of CHH OB patients will be transferred to other providers who are affiliated with hospitals with Level III neo-natal intensive care units.

            “After the review of our OB services in the spring of 2007 we knew what had to happen for us to sustain the department,” says Brooks Turkel, chief executive officer of CHH.  “Unfortunately, the health care environment has not changed significantly making it difficult for a community hospital to provide basic OB services. I regret that we have come to the same conclusion as numerous other hospitals in the region. As stewards of the hospital, both management and our board of trustees felt that it was a decision that had to be made to ensure the continued growth and vitality of services that are in greater demand in our community.”

            In addition to the expansion of women’s services including a new department chair of gynecology, more resources will be available for other programs including vascular services and wound care and construction of a new emergency department, intensive care unit and additional surgical suites. “We’ll continue to bring services to the Hospital that are in greatest demand from our patients and provide those services with outstanding, personalized care,” says Turkel. In the past three years, CHH has made more than $15 million of capital improvements.           

            The community is invited to a public forum to discuss the transition of OB services and the future of the Hospital on Tuesday, September 9, 2008 at Chestnut Hill Hospital, 8835 Germantown Avenue, in the Lea Auditorium, 7-8 p.m.