January 9, 2009

PALMYRA MEDICAL CENTER WINS RIGHT TO DELIVER BABIES;
STATE GRANTS HOSPITAL CERTIFICATE OF NEED
FOR OBSTETRICAL SERVICES

ALBANY, GA - Palmyra Medical Center has won approval to begin Obstetrical Services as the Department of Community Health today approved the hospital’s Certificate of Need (CON) application to provide Level One Obstetrical Services to the people of Albany and southwest Georgia.

“Palmyra is delighted it has been granted the CON to provide Obstetrical Services for mothers-to-be in our service area,” said Dr. Mike Daugherty, Chief of Staff.  “More important, we believe competition and choice in this important healthcare service will improve the quality and cost-effectiveness of healthcare for area residents.” 

Daugherty added that Palmyra appreciates the community sticking with the hospital through out the long struggle to bring this service and choice to southwest Georgia. “We’ve been overwhelmed by the support we’ve received from patients, physicians, community leaders and others,” said Daugherty.  “I guess in this case, the fourth time is the charm.”

Daugherty said Palmyra is thankful to the State of Georgia and the Department of Community Health for recognizing choice and competition in healthcare is good for all Georgians.  “It works everywhere else in the state, and we know it will work in Albany too,” added Daugherty.

Palmyra received approval to provide Basic Level One Obstetrical Services. This includes basic inpatient care for pregnant women and newborns without complications.  Palmyra will also manage pregnancy related emergencies, consult with and refer to specialty and subspecialty hospitals, identify high-risk pregnancies, provide follow-up care for new mothers and infants, and provide public/community education on pregnancy health issues.

 Palmyra’s birthing center will offer mothers seven labor and delivery suites, one c-section suite and a level one nursery with 10 newborn bassinets.  The entire Obstetrical Wing at Palmyra will offer state-of-the-art technology in the most comfortable environment for mothers and for family members who may be part of the birthing experience.  Palmyra officials said they intend to move ahead quickly with final design and construction.

 “Palmyra’s goal is to provide the best designed center which ultimately will provide the highest quality, safest outcomes and the best experience for our mothers and their newborns,” Daugherty said.  “We will solicit input from many experts including OB/GYN physicians already on staff to help assure we offer the area’s preeminent birthing center.” 

Palmyra hopes to welcome the first Palmyra baby by this time next year. “We expect to deliver our first baby in as soon as 12 months,” Daugherty continued.  “We look forward to the day we begin this much anticipated service, and to share with the community the announcement of Palmyra’s first birth.”

About Palmyra Medical Center

Palmyra Medical Center is a 248-bed acute care hospital, serving southwest Georgia since 1971. With more than 400 employees and 200 on-staff physicians, the hospital’s caregivers treat nearly 70,000 patients and perform nearly 5,000 surgeries each year. Palmyra Medical Center provided approximately $15 million in charity and uncompensated care and uninsured discounts in 2008.