Community open houses at both hospitals showcase new private rooms with spa-like feel
ST. LOUIS – SSM Maternity Care has invested $13.4 million to improve comfort, convenience and care for new moms and babies at SSM St. Mary’s Health Center in Richmond Heights and at SSM St. Joseph Health Center in St. Charles. Both hospitals are inviting the public to view the new spaces at upcoming community open houses.
SSM St. Mary’s Health Center will be open for tours of its new private Mother-Baby suites on the hospital’s sixth floor from 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. Saturday, April 30. SSM St. Joseph Health Center is providing tours of its private Labor/Delivery/Recovery/Postpartum suites from 5 – 7 p.m., Tuesday, May 3. Refreshments and giveaways also will be offered. Registration is required by calling 1-866-SSM-DOCS (776-3627).
“The work of our staff is a true testament to the extraordinary care provided to every woman and child,” said Sherlyn Hailstone, president of SSM Cardinal Glennon Children’s Medical Center and director of SSM Maternity Care for SSM Health Care – St. Louis. “The renovations at both health centers take The Family Birthplaces even further in providing superior physical space to complement our already exceptional Maternity care.”
$10.2 million invested at SSM St. Mary’s Health Center
The new Mother-Baby suites at SSM St. Mary’s are part of a $10.2 million expansion and renovation. The all-private rooms feature a spa-like feel and family-centered amenities and expand the footprint of The Family Birthplace at SSM St. Mary’s, where more than 3,000 babies are born each year, many of which are to mothers experiencing high-risk pregnancies.
“These new rooms reflect both the compassionate human care and the state-of-the-art maternity care available at SSM St. Mary’s,” said Pam Lesser, Director of Women’s Service at SSM St. Mary’s.
The Family Birthplace at SSM St. Mary’s currently occupies the entire fifth floor of the hospital and includes Labor-and-Delivery rooms, Antepartum rooms for high-risk patients, additional Mother-Baby rooms, a nursery, a level III Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, and a Women’s Evaluation Unit that serves as an emergency room for pregnant women – all of which will be updated by spring 2012.
SSM St. Mary’s Health Center is recognized for its high-risk obstetric care. It is home to the Saint Louis University School of Medicine’s Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Women’s Wellness and to
Missouri’s only dedicated Maternal Transport team. SSM Maternity Care services at St. Mary’s include a satellite location of the St. Louis Fetal Care Institute and a Fetal Evaluation and Testing Unit.
$3.2 million invested at SSM St. Joseph Health Center
The $3.2 million in renovations and upgrades at The Family Birthplace at SSM St. Joseph Health Center include converted Labor/Delivery/Recovery/Postpartum (LDRP) rooms, so patients can be in one room during their entire stay. Several of the former postpartum rooms will be converted to private medical/surgical beds, allowing for the hospital to complete an all private room platform.
“Mothers really enjoy having their birthing experience in one, private setting,” said Laveda Roy, director of Women’s Services for SSM St. Joseph Health Center. “We are thrilled to be able to offer this convenience for them during this very special time in their lives.”
Adding to the comfort and convenience of the birthing experience at SSM St. Joseph Health Center are the scenic views of the Missouri River from the relaxing, spa-like patient rooms. Additional renovations included adding four semi-private Level-II nursery bays for babies needing specialized attention, which allow parents to stay at baby’s bedside. A second Cesarean section (C-section) suite also has been added to the area.
The Family Birthplace at SSM St. Joseph Health Center offers various options tailored for your pregnancy. A house obstetrician and an anesthesia professional dedicated to meeting the needs of obstetric patients are both on-site 24/7. Dedicated surgical suites also are located on the same floor if a C-section is necessary. For mothers with a previous C-section, Vaginal Birth After Cesarean section (VBACs) can be performed if determined appropriate and safe by the physician. A lactation consultant is on-site for pre-deliver and post-birth consultation.
Patient opinions count
Both projects have included significant input from patients, families, nurses and physicians who weighed in on every aspect of the new patient room designs. Moms and family members provided feedback on a wide range of details, including comfort of furniture, lighting placement, room design and call-button placement.
Event Information
Guests can R.S.V.P. to either event or schedule a private tour of The Family Birthplace at SSM St. Mary’s Health Center or SSM St. Joseph Health Center by calling 1-866-SSM-DOCS (776-3627). More information about both events can be found at ssmhealth.com. SSM St. Mary’s Health Center is located at 6420 Clayton Road in Richmond Heights. SSM St. Joseph Health Center is located at 300 First Capitol Drive in St. Charles.
SSM St. Mary’s is offering free valet at the main entrance since The Family Birthplace project is underway at the same time as a $7 million entrance and streetscape redesign.
About SSM Maternity Care
A service line of SSM Health Care – St. Louis, SSM Maternity Care’s medical relationships with Saint Louis University School of Medicine and SSM Cardinal Glennon Children’s Medical Center bring the experience and skills of numerous physician experts, including obstetricians and maternal-fetal medicine and neonatology specialists, plus the best available medical and surgical care for high-risk newborns. Five SSM Maternity Care hospital sites throughout St. Louis and St. Charles counties feature an advanced (Level II) nursery staffed by highly skilled physicians, nurses and specialists that include neonatologists and SSM Cardinal Glennon staff pediatricians. For the most complicated births, Level III newborn nurseries, or NICUs (neonatal intensive care unit) at SSM St. Mary's Health Center and SSM Cardinal Glennon Children's Medical Center have the equipment and expertise to care for babies born prematurely, before 32 weeks gestation or at very low birth weights. For more information, go to www.ssmhealth.com/maternity.
About SSM St. Mary’s Health Center
SSM St. Mary's Health Center is a two-time winner of the prestigious Premier Award for Quality. Centrally located in metro St. Louis, SSM St. Mary's is a contemporary, 525-bed hospital with distinctive capabilities in high-risk obstetrical services, fetal surgery, state-of-the-art heart surgery, a chest pain center, advanced stroke care, and the latest imaging and outpatient services. Also a teaching hospital, SSM St. Mary’s is the headquarters for St. Louis University School of Medicine's Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology and offers an accredited internal medicine program. SSM St. Mary’s more than 2,100 employees and 800 physicians are devoted to achieving the best care and best results for our patients.
About SSM St. Joseph Health Center
SSM St. Joseph Health Center is a state-designated Level II Trauma Center, Chest Pain Center and Primary Stroke Center, located in St. Charles, Missouri. It is the recipient of the Premier QUEST High Performing Hospital. The facility offers a broad range of exceptional services and programs including SSM Cancer Care, the SSM Heart Institute, The Vascular Institute and SSM Center for Sleep Disorders. For more information about SSM St. Joseph Health Center, please visit www.ssmstjoseph.com and to learn more about our newest upgrades and services visit www.yournewstjoe.com.
For media inquires, contact:
Stacey L. Rynders
Communications Specialist
SSM St. Mary's Health Center
314-768-8801 (office)
314-306-7866 (cell)
314-908-0688 (pager)
Stacey_L_Rynders@ssmhc.com
Rachel Peine
Communications Specialist
SSM St. Joseph Health Center
636-947-5621 (office)
314-908-0463 (pager)
Rachel_C_Peine@ssmhc.com