Piedmont Newnan Hospital is asking for a state permit that will allow it to give highly specialized care to infants born before 32 weeks in the mother’s pregnancy.
The requested “Certificate of Need” would allow the hospital to move from a Level II to a Level III Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). A decision is expected by the end of March.
“Even a mother who is well cared for can go into labor early and unexpectedly,” said Piedmont Newnan Hospital Women’s Services Director Jennifer Key. “Having a Level III NICU will allow our most fragile premature newborns to receive the best care possible while staying in Coweta County and close to family.”
Currently, the most critically ill babies have to be moved far from home, which can have negative consequences on a baby’s development and also create emotional hardship on parents who must travel to see their newborn, said Piedmont Newnan CEO Mike Robertson.
If approved, the expansion of Piedmont Newnan Hospital women’s services department will include the addition of a well-baby nursery. The hospital’s current Level II NICU beds will remain in place.
Prior to filing the Certificate of Need application, Piedmont Newnan brought onboard two board-certified neonatal care physicians to join its growing women’s services department. Dr. Francisco Velez and Dr. Adegboyega Aderibigbe provide 24/7 coverage in the NICU for babies born as early as 24 weeks. The neonatologists are part of MEDNAX National Medical Group, which also staffs NICU units at Piedmont Atlanta Hospital, Piedmont Fayette Hospital, Piedmont Henry Hospital and 13 other hospitals in Georgia, as well as at more than 360 other NICUs nationally.
“The addition of Dr. Aderibigbe and Dr. Velez ensures that our high-risk patients and their newborns receive very good care during their stay here,” Robertson said.
Last year, Piedmont Newnan’s women’s services team delivered more than 1,100 babies.
