1/9/2019
PITTSBURGH – Reflecting UPMC’s commitment to enhancing specialty care with centers of excellence in Pittsburgh, inpatient women’s health, obstetrics and neonatal intensive care will transition from UPMC Mercy to UPMC Magee-Womens Hospital in early March.
UPMC Magee is a regional center of excellence where patient care encompasses routine deliveries as well as complex clinical care provided by maternal-fetal medicine specialists 24/7 for high-risk mothers and newborns. UPMC Magee clinicians, including obstetricians and midwives, deliver nearly 9,000 babies each year. Its neonatal intensive care unit is the largest in Pennsylvania, and one of the most robust in the country, treating almost 2,000 seriously or critically ill babies every year.
With the construction of the new UPMC Vision and Rehabilitation Hospital set to break ground in coming months — in addition to many high-quality specialized patient care services including rehabilitation services, a new digestive health center and enhanced treatment for addiction — UPMC Mercy is poised to significantly grow clinical services.
“Concentrating UPMC’s local obstetric services at Magee, which is less than two miles away from Mercy and is one of the nation’s premier women’s specialty hospitals, is a prudent use of organizational resources,” said Michael Grace, president of UPMC Mercy.
“In working through the transition, we acknowledge the importance of our Catholic mission and that many patients who chose Mercy for childbirth do so for our dedication and adherence to the Catholic faith,” added Grace.
“Magee has a long-standing practice of being both respectful of individual moral and religious principles, while at the same time providing comprehensive reproductive services for women,” said Richard Beigi, M.D., president of UPMC Magee. “Our hospital has extensive experience caring for women of all religions, and a chaplain from the Diocese of Pittsburgh is available on-site to provide spiritual care for new and expectant Catholic mothers. In addition, we are enhancing collaboration between Mercy and Magee to ensure Catholic patients’ needs are met.”
“The safe and appropriate transition of care for our pregnant patients to Magee is a very high priority. We are working with each pregnant patient currently under the care of Mercy clinicians to thoroughly plan for her new delivery location,” Beigi added.
Should a woman with an obstetric emergency present to UPMC Mercy’s emergency department, the clinical team will assess the patient, provide emergency care and transfer her to UPMC Magee as needed.
UPMC Mercy employees affected are being offered the opportunity to apply for vacant positions at Mercy, Magee and other UPMC hospitals and physician offices.
UPMC Magee is planning tours for expectant mothers so they can become familiar with the hospital. Patients with questions about clinical services or transition specifics can call 412-641-1960.