Dr. Michael Schultheis, an OBHG clinician at St. Vincent Evansville recently wrote a letter to the editor of the Indy Star in regards to a new initiative Indiana state leaders recently signed into law. In the letter, Dr. Schultheis recommends that wraparound services (such as physician care teams complemented by OB hospitalists) complement a comprehensive level of care in the clinical setting.
The full body of Dr. Schultheis’ letter is below or you can click here and scroll to “Support services can lower infant, maternal mortality rates.”
Support services can lower infant, maternal mortality rates
For healthcare professionals in labor and delivery, maternal and infant mortality remains a major concern. Indiana has one of the worst infant mortality rates in the country, at nearly twice the national average. As disturbing as that is, the U.S. itself has one of the worst infant mortality rates of all developed nations.
Luckily, state leaders recently signed into law a new initiative for the Hoosier state to help raise public awareness and link pregnant women to resources throughout their pregnancy and up to one year after giving birth, with a personal obstetrics (OB) navigator providing essential wrap around support services. The goal is to positively impact and improve the health of mothers and their babies via home visits, transportation, and prenatal care.
Indiana should make sure wraparound services complement a comprehensive level of care in the clinical setting. At St. Vincent Evansville, for example, we make sure our full-time physician care team is complemented by OB hospitalists to provide 24/7 comprehensive coverage.
Making an impact will require all hands on deck to achieve a lower infant and maternal mortality rate.
Dr. Michael Schultheis
St. Vincent Medical Center obstetrician/gynecologist, Evansville