LABOR & DELIVERY SERVICES LEAVING ASPIRUS MEDFORD - UPDATED

[My Northern Wisconsin]

   

According to Aspirus Health, labor and delivery services will no longer be offered at Aspirus Medford starting October 1, 2024.  These services will be moved to Aspirus Wausau Hospital Birthing Center in Wausau, Wisconsin.

Aspirus Medford has been operating with a part-time OB/GYN since November 2020, so it has been challenging to have coverage every hour of every day for on-call services, according to Dale Hustedt, president of the Northwest WI Division of Aspirus Health.  "We are not alone in this decision as, across the country, rural providers have made similar changes with less than 40% of rural hospitals performing routine deliveries.  In Wisconsin, we have seen deliveries ceased at more than a dozen hospitals.”

A press release from Aspirus stated, "One of the factors that led to this decision is the fact that physician supply for Obstetrics and Gynecology (OB/GYN) continues to be a challenge. Despite aggressive recruiting by Aspirus Health for years, the OB/GYN pipeline continues to shrink, particularly those interested in rural practice."

The press release continued, "According to the American Medical Association, the United States is projected to experience a shortage of 5,000 OB/GYNs by 2030.  This is expected to cause already overworked doctors to further struggle to meet demand and continue widening maternal and infant health disparities.  An aging workforce, aging population, and high rates of burnout are also contributing to the shortage."

“Aspirus is committed to the Medford area and surrounding community, and we believe this transition will help us provide the right mix of services to meet changing local needs,” said Dale. “Our region’s needs are dynamic, and we will continue to transform so we can advance our mission to heal people, promote health, and strengthen communities for generations to come.”

Aspirus Medford will continue to offer prenatal and postnatal care.  Plus, Dale shared, "We will ensure that our emergency departments and facilities are prepared to address labor and delivery issues that may occur following the transition of services."

My Northern Wisconsin reached out to the media contact at Aspirus Medford asking why the decision was made and how people are going to be able to get these services in our rural area when so many facilities are not offering labor and delivery services.  However, we did not receive direct answers and only received a copy of the press release regarding this matter.



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