DMH Laborist Program helps address gap in maternal health

DECATUR, Ill. (WAND) - In 2023, Decatur Memorial Hospital became the only hospital in Decatur to do deliveries.

In June 2023, the Illinois Health Facilities and Services Review Board (HFSRB) approved HSHS St. Mary's Hospital's decision to discontinue the service of advanced inpatient rehabilitation, obstetrics and newborn nursery, pediatrics, and inpatient behavioral health services.

"That really doubled our numbers in births that we have on an annual basis," said Decatur Memorial Hospital President & C.E.O Drew Early.

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The St. Mary's labor and delivery closure forced DMH to take a look at its processes, standard of care, and practices. Early said that's when the hospital developed a "laborist" program.

"It puts a physician in house 24/7, 365 days a year."

Regardless of a patient's affiliation or if they have a physician, DMH will now be able to take care of patients if there is an emergency. Early said the program is "critical" for the city.

"DMH is going to do almost 1,000 births this year," he said. "Having that extra set of hands here really represents the standard of care and it really elevates our care for the community."

Dr. Nada Lygrisse is an OB/GYN at Lake Shore OB/GYN and works in the new laborist program. She explained doctors apart of the program take a 24-hour shift at a time to cover the entire unit to respond to emergencies and ER consults.

"When we are able to answer to an emergency within 30 minutes, I think that shows patients that we are there and there is a safe unit," she said.

In addition, Dr. Lygrisse believes the program will help improve physician burnout and help with recruiting other doctors to the area.

"With the amount of physicians that are on their way out to retire, we need to be able to recruit more physicians to the area. When you have a program like this, you are able to show people that you can have a good quality of life and good work-life balance."