State’s First Obstetrics Emergency Department Celebrates Five Years of Specialized Care

Opening the state’s first obstetrics emergency department (OB ED) in the early months of a global pandemic could not have been easy. 

Yet South Shore Health pushed forward with its pioneering plan to create a department dedicated to providing specialized obstetric emergency care, setting it apart from all other Massachusetts health systems.

Having the first OB ED in the state is a great source of pride for Kimberly Dever, MD, MBA, FACOG, Vice President of Women’s Health and Chair of Obstetrics and Gynecology.

“I am so proud that South Shore Health was the first in Massachusetts to recognize the importance of creating a dedicated space to quickly address the emergent needs of obstetrical patients,” said Dever, the trailblazer behind the OB ED. 

Planned for more than a year, the OB ED at South Shore Health was set to open when the pandemic began. While COVID -19 delayed its launch a few months, Dever said the department has seen steady growth since opening in July 2020. 

In its first five months, the OB ED had nearly 2,800 patient visits, and over the past five years has averaged more than 5,000 patient visits annually.

Located within the McKim Family Birthing Center at South Shore Hospital, the OB ED provides specialized care for obstetric patients, who are over 20 weeks pregnant, and experiencing pregnancy-related complications or an emergency.

“We are continually trying to improve the access and quality of care we offer to the women in our community,” Dever said. “Having an OB ED enhances the safety and speed in handling pregnancy-related emergencies and this helps ensure mother and baby receive the most appropriate and timely care.”

Open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, the OB ED has a dedicated obstetrics team that can typically assess, treat and discharge patients much faster than a general emergency department or obstetrical triage setting. And it is a crucial safety net for patients experiencing a pregnancy-related complication or emergency when their obstetrician or midwife’s office is closed.

Every patient in the OB ED is evaluated by a physician and/or a certified nurse midwife and those with the most serious pregnancy-related emergencies have quick access to surgical care and 24/7 availability of anesthesiologists and neonatologists. 

Patients with pregnancy complications such as preeclampsia, vaginal bleeding, decreased fetal movement and preterm labor are seen quickly and diagnosed more accurately, Dever said.

Having trained specialized nursing and provider staff at their bedside within minutes to assess and address their concerns is reassuring for patients at a stressful time, she said.

Reassuring is exactly how Katherine, a nurse in South Shore Hospital’s birthing unit and a recent patient, described her experience in the OB ED. 

During a regular 34-week office appointment, Katherine said fetal monitoring showed her baby’s heart rate was high and her provider recommended she get checked out at the OB ED. 

“It was very reassuring to know that I was receiving specialized care and would be seen within minutes rather than waiting for hours and hours in a regular emergency department and being stressed out,” Katherine said. 

Fetal monitoring in the OB ED showed that the baby was fine, Katherine said, and she was discharged within an hour. 

“It was a great experience,” she said. “Being on that side makes me appreciate the people I work with even more.”

Katherine’s co-worker Taylor, who is also a nurse in the birthing unit, had a similar experience and perspective.

At 35-weeks pregnant, Taylor said a scheduled ultrasound at her doctor’s office wasn’t showing breathing movements by the baby and fetal monitoring at the OB ED was recommended. 

“It was a little scary,” said Taylor, “especially knowing the situation from the other side.” 

But Taylor said she had peace of mind knowing that she could go right to the hospital’s OB ED and be seen right away. 

“In that situation, you’re worried about yourself and your baby,” she said. “It takes a weight off your shoulders knowing you won’t have a multiple-hour wait in an emergency department and you can go to the OB ED for any concern at any time and know you’ll be heard and seen,” she said.

Within five minutes of arriving, Taylor said she was in a room being assessed.  The baby looked good, but Taylor’s blood pressure was high. To rule out preeclampsia, Taylor said she was admitted overnight. Throughout the experience, Taylor said her care team was extraordinary, making sure to inform her husband about every step in her treatment. 

“I think it’s really amazing that South Shore Hospital provides this high level of obstetrical care,” she said.  “It’s a great resource for the South Shore.”

Five years after opening South Shore Health’s OB ED remains one of only a few in the state. Lowell General Hospital opened an obstetrics emergency department two years ago, Dever said.

A third OB ED is scheduled to open in July at Mercy Medical Center in Springfield, and Dever said she has been contacted by other health systems also exploring adding an obstetrics emergency department.

Dever said she is pleased South Shore Health’s OB ED continues to be an invaluable women’s health resource in the community. 

“Through our OB ED, we have been able to promote continuity of care, patient safety, expedited treatment and better outcomes for our obstetric patients.”

Learn more about the Obstetrics Emergency Department, The Messina Family Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU)  and other Women's Health services at South Shore Health