ELKTON, MD — In a significant development for expectant families in Cecil County and surrounding areas, ChristianaCare has announced a comprehensive redesign and upgrade of the Family Birth Center at Union Hospital. The renovation aims to enhance the labor and delivery experience for the approximately 450 babies born at the hospital each year.
The upgraded 14-bed unit will feature a contemporary design, larger maternity suites, and state-of-the-art technology. The new layout includes three post-partum rooms, eight labor and delivery rooms, three private triage rooms, a tub room for labor assistance, and a nursery. With the new enhancements, the center is set to start welcoming patients from January 3, 2024.
Amy Marston, MBA, MPH, campus executive director, expressed her excitement about the renovation. She emphasized that improving the Family Birth Center was a priority identified early in the integration process of Union Hospital with ChristianaCare. “The beautiful, renovated center, designed to be warm and inviting, will provide an exceptional experience for our laboring patients and their families,” Marston said.
Key highlights of the upgraded center include an enlarged OB triage suite with an additional bed, expanded patient rooms, an upgraded wireless fetal monitoring system, a redesigned circular pathway around the nurse’s station for laboring patients, an added second nursing station at the entrance of the unit, and upgraded electronics and new TVs.
Joan Pirrung, MSN, APRN, ACNS- BC, the chief nursing officer of the Cecil County Campus, praised the new design. “Improvements such as better flow between patient rooms, more workstations for nurses, and an enhanced security system will improve efficiencies and safety on the unit,” she said.
The ChristianaCare Union Hospital Auxiliary made a significant contribution to the renovation project, donating $120,000. The Auxilians have raised over $2 million to support Union Hospital since 2009, a testament to their commitment to enhancing healthcare in the community.
The new facilities at Union Hospital are expected to have far-reaching implications for patient care in the region. Coupled with ChristianaCare’s partnership with Babyscripts My Journey, a free mobile app offering educational materials and resources for expectant parents, the hospital is poised to provide comprehensive support throughout pregnancy and postpartum journey.
It’s also worth noting that Union Hospital recently earned a 2023 Patient Safety Excellence Award from Healthgrades, one of only five hospitals in Maryland to receive the award. This accolade underscores the hospital’s commitment to patient safety, a commitment that will undoubtedly be strengthened by the new enhancements at the Family Birth Center.
In conclusion, the renovation of the Family Birth Center at Union Hospital signals a significant step forward in the provision of maternity care in Cecil County. By creating a more comfortable, secure, and technologically advanced environment for labor and delivery, ChristianaCare is investing in the health and well-being of the community’s future generations.
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