‘Round-the-clock care for laboring patients: The obstetricians at Tuomey have lots of great things to say about the women’s center, from the well-appointed (and comfy) delivery rooms to the special care offered in our Level II Nursery. But one subject they can’t seem to say enough about is the epidural service that women in labor are “blessed” to have: 24-hour/seven-day-a-week anesthesia available in the Birthing Center. “You just don’t find this service in many places,” noted Dr. Triz Smith, an obstetrician with Sumter OB/GYN: “An anesthetist on-site, around the clock, dedicated to Labor and Delivery.” Four certified registered nurse anesthetists comprise the Tuomey OB / CRNA team: Shirley Houser-Stehr, Pamela Thompson-Knight, Michael Sand and Anthony Caballero. They each work seven 24-hour shifts every month, which means that someone’s right there, in the hospital, dedicated solely to the obstetrics units and ready to administer an epidural to a laboring woman at a moment’s notice. And if a woman needs emergency surgery to protect her or the baby, the CRNAs can get the medicine started immediately -- the anesthesiologist is always available and called in for all C-sections, but the team doesn’t have to wait for him to arrive. “It’s great in an emergency, anytime -- on the weekends, at night, we
can do whatever we need to do quickly because they’re right there,” Smith says. Thompson-Knight, a retired Navy Reserve captain who’s been part of the Tuomey team for more than a decade, says it’s a symbiotic service: “The laboring patient and their families love it, because once we put an epidural in, we don’t leave the hospital. The (OB) doctors love the continuity of care. The anesthesiologists are always available if we need them, but this way they can focus on the main O.R., which can get so busy.” The service starts when a woman arrives at the Birthing Center and doesn’t end until her discharge from the hospital. She’s informed of all her pain management choices, and if she chooses an epidural for labor, the CRNAs perform the procedure and manage their pain until after the delivery of the baby. The team also visits the patient before her discharge to go over any questions she may still have. The CRNAs can conference with doctors 24/7, “which makes for great communication,” Thompson-Knight said. They can convert immediately from a typical laboring epidural to the medication level required for a cesarean section, which results in safer and more efficient
“You will not find a more beautiful place to have a baby” For most women, it’s an incredible experience to have a baby. Bringing that new little one into the world is something you never forget. Counting those sweet little fingers and toes, hearing that first cry, knowing that your life is forever changed because a part of you now lives in another person. We at Tuomey know that moment is an extraordinary event in the life of the new family, and so we’ve always taken pride in the care you get during that very special time. The place where you choose to give birth needs to be outstanding. It needs to be as close to perfect as that precious little life you’ve created. “Of course we have an excellent team of nurses and doctors here at Tuomey. Our caregivers are absolutely second to none,” said Susan Gaymon, administrative director of Women’s and Children’s Services. “But what makes us even more special are the beautiful surroundings here for the women. From the start, in the spacious Labor & Delivery rooms, to the recovery in the Bell Women & Infants Pavilion, you will not find a more beautiful place to have a baby.” LABOR AND DELIVERY Tuomey’s Labor and Delivery Department
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LifeTimes | Fall 2011
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(L&D) has eight beautiful, spacious birthing suites with tasteful cabinets that conceal highly advanced delivery equipment, comfortable beds that our pregnant mothers labor and deliver in, and rockers for special moments with newborns. L&D nurses often help deliver multiple births, as well as care for mothers with special health issues like high blood pressure, diabetes and obstetric emergencies. They work closely with nursery staff and jointly undertake continuing ed classes. We also have an internationally board certified lactation consultant, Amy Chappell, RN. Breastfeeding is a big issue for women, whether they nursed their first baby and are having issues with the next, wanted to breastfeed and had problems, or just want to learn more.
JAMES E. BELL JR. MD WOMEN & INFANTS PAVILION Opened in 2007, the Pavilion is state-of-theart in every way possible. But more importantly, the building was built to make a woman feel right at home. The 18,000-square-foot center creates a dedicated unit designed to meet the unique needs of our gynecological and OB patients. It features 24 beautifully appointed and spacious inpatient rooms and its own welcoming, sheltered entrance. The modern room design and selection of furniture create the perfect conditions for in-room treatment, as well as space to accommodate family and friends who want to visit. “We have a place for our patients like no one else in this area,” said Carla Smith, manager for L&D and the women’s center. “This Pavilion is beautiful, and with the top-level care you get here – from doctors and nurses – there is absolutely no reason to leave our community. You will not find anything any better – anywhere.” -- BRENDA P. CHASE