GREENFIELD — Hancock Health has a new collaboration with Indianapolis-based Peyton Manning Children’s Hospital to provide enhanced care for newborns.
The partnership has resulted in a state-designated Level II Special Care Nursery at Hancock Regional Hospital, allowing for a higher specialty of care for moderately ill infants and babies born as early as 32 weeks’ gestation.
Theresa Lueder, Hancock Health assistant vice president, surgical services, women and children, said the collaboration has allowed Hancock Regional Hospital nurses and respiratory therapists to refresh their skills and learn new ones at Peyton Manning Children’s Hospital at Ascension St. Vincent.
She added the partnership has also provided technology that allows for virtual visits between staff at Peyton Manning and mothers, newborns, neonatal nurse practitioners and other staff at Hancock Regional Hospital. A special stethoscope can even be used allowing professionals at Peyton Manning to listen to a baby’s heartbeat in Greenfield.
Lueder said if, for example, a heart murmur is detected, an echocardiogram can be conducted at Hancock Regional Hospital to take a closer look and be transmitted to Peyton Manning so that a plan of care can be developed.
Virtual visits have also been effective at educating parents and their Hancock Regional Hospital caretakers, Lueder said.
“Moms have really enjoyed it so far, to see those assessments done in their rooms,” she said.
The collaboration allows so much more to be done at Hancock Regional Hospital, as opposed to having to send mothers and their newborns elsewhere, Lueder continued.
“It really makes things like a one-stop shop, I feel like,” she said. “It ties it all together.”
Dr. Julia Compton, Hancock Health assistant vice president, oncology service line and physician executive council, said the enhancements hark back to part of Hancock Health’s mission since its beginnings. She recalled how Fannie Andis, whose child died at birth, felt the outcome could have been different had a hospital existed in Greenfield. In 1951, Andis donated the land for that hospital, and Hancock Regional’s maternity unit bears her name.
“Neonatal care is just a huge part of who we are,” Compton said. “And we recognize that as life changes and moms are going through the pregnancy journey — everybody worries. They worry about what’s going to happen, and is the delivery going to be safe, and am I going to need that extra little bit of help, and what if my baby’s born a little bit too early?”
The Andis unit has always had well-qualified staff, Compton and Lueder said.
“But what takes this to the next level is being able to provide that extra level of comfort to those moms and families at the time that they deliver — that we have this covered,” Compton said. “We are able to help be that safety blanket, that safety net for them, should there be something unexpected at the last minute.”
Dr. Taha BenSaad, neonatal intensive care unit medical director at Ascension St. Vincent Women’s Hospital and Carmel Hospital, said in a news release that Ascension St. Vincent is excited to help Hancock Regional Hospital care for newborns.
“This partnership provides families the comfort of knowing they have high quality, specialty pediatric care, close to home,” BenSaad said.
