State officials have approved the enhancement of neonatal services at Piedmont Fayette Hospital, the hospital announced today.
The hospital will be allowed to expand its level 2 neonatal intermediate care unit and also
establish a level 3 neonatal intensive care unit to care for fragile newborns who are born here.
More than 6,700 babies have been born at Piedmont Fayette Hospital since obstetric services were first offered in September 2006.
The approved expansion of the Level II intermediate care unit will mean that the need for neonatal care close to home can be accommodated within the planned capacity.
The expansion of services will require new construction at the hospital which is expected to start by December. The hospital anticipates beginning to offer the additional services in the summer of 2011.
The absence of a Level 3 neonatal intensive care unit has meant that babies who required more specialized care were transferred to other facilities, forcing families to travel for sometimes over an hour to visit and assist in the care of their sick or premature newborn. Some mothers have travelled outside the community to give birth, anticipating the need for Level 3 care for their baby. Now, Piedmont Fayette Hospital will be able to offer these highly specialized services, keeping babies closer to home and with their families.
“We are excited about moving forward with these important services and want to extend our heartfelt thanks to the community for its support of our Keep Babies in Fayette initiative,” said W. Darrell Cutts, president and chief executive officer of Piedmont Fayette Hospital. “The numerous individuals who signed our petition and championed this cause have been vital in ensuring that we will now be able to establish the services necessary to provide the highest level of care for our smallest patients and their families.”
