Nemours/Alfred I duPont Hospital for Children . and Christiana Care Health System formed the Nemours & Christiana Care Advanced Delivery Program.
The program – the first of its kind in Delaware – is designed to help care for mothers and babies with prenatally diagnosed conditions that require swift intervention after the birth.
Currently, babies with prenatal diagnoses requiring surgical/non-surgical intervention are delivered at Christiana or other regional hospitals and transferred to Nemours duPont Hospital for Children. This brings both health risk to the baby and emotional distress as mother and infant are separated soon after birth, a release stated.
The family’s obstetrician, who plays a critical role in the care and comfort of expectant mothers, is an integral member of the care team, before and after delivery.
Together, all of these physicians and surgeons can optimize outcomes for babies with congenital abnormalities, while enhancing the experience for mothers. Referrals from clinicians have begun, with deliveries starting in September, a release stated.
The program will be co-led by medical directors representing both organizations: Joanna Costa, MD, Nemours neonatologist and Margaret R. Chou, MD, Christiana Care Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology. Clinicians in the unit expect to treat about 30 expectant mothers in the first year of operation.
“We are proud to partner with Christiana Care to advance and promote the health and well-being of mothers and babies,” said Roy Proujansky, MD, CEO, Nemours Delaware Valley. “As regional leaders in health care, we look forward to working together on programs that positively impact our community.”
“We are excited to partner with our colleagues at Nemours. Together, we will continue our long legacies of providing innovative care to our community,” said Janice E. Nevin, MD, Christiana Care CEO. “As we serve together, the collective expertise of our blended caregiver teams will offer a unique and loving experience for moms and their babies.”
