SSM Health has announced it will stop delivery of babies at St. Mary’s Hospital in Centralia by the end of the year. Labor and delivery service is being consolidated at SSM Health Good Samaritan Hospital in Mt. Vernon.
The President of SSM Health St. Mary’s Hospital Damon Harbison says the decision was not reached lightly. He notes they have closely monitored the obstetrics service line for several years and the department has been experiencing underutilization for some time now that matched the national and regional trend of declining birth rates. He adds this decision is in no way a reflection upon the quality of care their OB/GYN physicians, pediatricians, nurses, or staff have provided to mothers and babies.
While 18 employees at St. Mary’s Hospital will be affected, no jobs will be lost. St. Mary’s Hospital administration met with those employees and have offered them the opportunity to transfer to other positions within the SSM Health system.
Harbison advises that the change will ultimately improve their operations and allow them to focus their resources on the services that their patients are using the most in the communities they serve while keeping pace with the changes in the healthcare industry. They include surgical services, emergency services, primary care, outpatient services, geriatric focus care, and our behavioral health services
SSM Health St. Mary’s Hospital – Centralia has seen a consistent decline in the number of births each year. The hospital anticipates less than 250 total births in 2021. Combining the two programs will increase volumes allowing staff to maintain clinical competencies and increase program efficiencies.
To ensure a smooth transition and continuity of care, SSM Health Illinois is partnering with Heartland Women’s Healthcare to assist with transitioning their patient’s labor and delivery care to SSM Health Good Samaritan Hospital – Mt. Vernon or a hospital of their choice.
