The Special Delivery Unit: A Novel Concept for Mother-Baby Continuity for Major Fetal Abnormalities

Title

The Special Delivery Unit: A Novel Concept for Mother-Baby Continuity for Major Fetal Abnormalities

Creator

Moise KJ; Bebbington MW; Nix M; Thomas H; Kosko A

Identifier

Publisher

American Journal of Perinatology

Date

2024

Subject

gestational age; blood transfusion; clinical outcome; hospital discharge; fetus; pregnancy; outcome assessment; anxiety; medical education; cost effectiveness analysis; health care access; health care cost; telephone interview; systematic review; human; article; female; health care delivery; patient satisfaction; palliative therapy; patient care; resuscitation; length of stay; intensive care unit; body mass; oxygen consumption; teaching; electronic medical record; prenatal diagnosis; health insurance; pregnant woman; community hospital; pharmacist; parenteral nutrition; obstetrical nursing; prenatal care; birth weight; obstetric delivery; colonoscopy; newborn surgery; patent ductus arteriosus; wound infection; neuroprotection; cesarean section; operating room; fetus disease; anesthesiology; Apgar score; diabetic ketoacidosis; fetus echography; fetus surgery; interatrial septum; preeclampsia; puerperium

Description

Objective: This article describes the experience in the planning and development of a special delivery unit (SDU) at our free-standing children's hospital in Austin, Texas. Study design: Description of various aspects of the development of the SDU. In addition, telephone surveys were obtained from five other institutions regarding the planning and current status of their SDUs. Results: Since the advent of the SDU at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia in 2008, several free-standing children's hospitals have opened similar units at their institutions. Developing an obstetrical unit in a children's hospital can be a daunting task on many fronts. The costs of providing 24-hour obstetrical, nursing, and anesthesiology coverage must be considered. Although most SDUs are associated with a fetal center and fetal surgery/interventions, some units function exclusively for the delivery of pregnancies complicated by major fetal conditions where the neonate will require immediate surgical care or other interventions. Conclusion: Research on the cost-effectiveness and the effect of SDUs on clinical outcome, teaching, and patient satisfaction is warranted. Key points: · Specialized delivery units are becoming more common at free-standing children's hospitals.. · The primary aim of the SDU is to maintain mother-baby continuity in cases of congenital anomalies.. · Developing an obstetrical unit at a pediatric hospital is a daunting task..

Rights

Article information provided for research and reference use only. PedPalASCNET does not hold any rights over the resource listed here. All rights are retained by the journal listed under publisher and/or the creator(s).

Citation List Month

August List 2024

Collection

Citation

Moise KJ; Bebbington MW; Nix M; Thomas H; Kosko A, “The Special Delivery Unit: A Novel Concept for Mother-Baby Continuity for Major Fetal Abnormalities,” Pediatric Palliative Care Library, accessed February 11, 2025, https://pedpalascnetlibrary.omeka.net/items/show/19693.