FOSTORIA Fostoria Community Hospital is to discontinue its obstetrics services effective Oct. 1. A release stated the decision was based on factors including current demand, future demographic and market trends.
"Changes such as these are undoubtedly difficult; however, we are committed to being good stewards of our resources," hospital president Dan Schwanke stated in the release. "We continue to evaluate operations carefully and make proactive decisions so that we can continue offering high-quality care to the communities we serve."
Although inpatient maternity services no longer would be offered, the hospital plans to continue to provide women's services such as gynecology. Also, this change does not impact other pediatric services offered in Fostoria.
"To ensure that our current patients have a seamless transition in their care, we are exploring a collaborative relationship with area providers, which would include continued prenatal care in Fostoria," said Peg Frankart, the hospital's vice president for patient care. "The hospital will be working closely with our patients to help guide them through this transition."
Nine full-time, two part-time and five per diem employees in the hospital's obstetrics department are to be impacted by this decision. Human resources is working with these employees to help identify other options, within ProMedica or locally, and assist them with this transition.
According to the American Hospital Association, in Ohio, 30 percent of hospitals do not provide obstetrics services. Plus, according to the Ohio Department of Health, 19 hospitals have closed maternity units since 2004; there are 23 counties in Ohio that have no maternity unit.
