ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1995, Roanoke Times
DATE: Wednesday, December 20, 1995 TAG: 9512200069
SECTION: BUSINESS PAGE: C-7 EDITION: METRO
Columbia Montgomery Regional Hospital has completed a $1.9 million birthing center, which will be available to patients by early next week.
The 10,000-square-foot center, which will house the hospital's obstetrics unit, consolidates all medical care associated with childbirth. Five rooms are equipped for labor, delivery, recovery and post-partum care. Another five are for patients who are not yet in labor but who are having pregnancy complications, for example. Three small nurseries, also part of the center, can hold 15 cribs.
Although the center has a separate entrance and parking area, it is connected to the rest of the hospital. Patients will be admitted and discharged at the center so expectant mothers do not have to "get caught up in the rest of the hustle and bustle" of the hospital," said Gene Wright, Montgomery Regional's chief executive officer.
Wright said the concept of a birthing center was developed three years ago to make expectant mothers and their families more comfortable and to help recruit more pediatricians and obstetricians to the hospital. Currently, there are five obstetricians and seven pediatricians on active staff at the hospital.
- Staff report
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