Temple Health's Labor and Delivery services are set to transfer to a fresh hospital in Northeast Philadelphia come autumn.
The Temple Women and Families Hospital, a new dedicated facility for women's and infants' health, is set to open on Sept. 3, 2023, near Juniata Park in Philadelphia [1][3][5]. This hospital is poised to offer comprehensive labor and delivery services, including a Level III Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), making it the only hospital in southeastern Pennsylvania exclusively focused on women’s and infants’ health.
In preparation for the hospital's opening, Temple Health has been collaborating with providers in obstetrics, surgery, the emergency department, and anesthesia [2]. The hospital's equipment includes advanced obstetric care capabilities and a Level III NICU, enabling it to manage very high-risk newborns requiring intensive care [3].
To ensure the highest level of care, the opening of the hospital was delayed until September 2023 to provide more simulation and educational training for staff [4]. The hospital's focus is on providing patient-centered, family-friendly care in a specialized facility [1][3].
All labor and delivery services, including for complex cases, were moved entirely from Temple University Hospital-Main Campus to this hospital to centralize and enhance the quality of maternal and neonatal care [1][3][5]. This centralization allows for specialized resources and expert teams to address high-risk pregnancies and emergency situations effectively.
Temple Health is working to notify patients and families about the new birthing hospital and changes to labor and delivery services, especially for those expecting later this summer and fall. Some gynecologic-related care will still be offered at the main campus hospital, including outpatient OB/GYN visits, certain surgeries, cancer care, and cases that originate in the emergency room.
Dr. Claire Raab, president and CEO of Temple Faculty Physicians, expressed excitement about the new hospital's offerings for obstetrics patients and the community. Health providers have also expressed appreciation for the chance to work in the upgraded facility with more room and space for laboring patients at the new hospital.
The new hospital will offer maternal and neonatal intensive care, as well as other outpatient health care services. However, Temple Health officials have not provided any information about the website's sponsors.
References: [1] Temple Health. (n.d.). Temple Women and Families Hospital. Retrieved from https://www.templehealth.org/locations/hospitals-and-care-centers/temple-women-and-families-hospital [2] Temple Health. (n.d.). Temple Health Expands Women's and Children's Services. Retrieved from https://www.templehealth.org/news/temple-health-expands-womens-and-childrens-services [3] Temple University Hospital. (n.d.). Level III Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). Retrieved from https://www.tuhs.temple.edu/services/neonatal-intensive-care-unit [4] Temple Health. (n.d.). Delayed Opening for Temple Women and Families Hospital. Retrieved from https://www.templehealth.org/news/delayed-opening-for-temple-women-and-families-hospital [5] Philadelphia Business Journal. (2021, August 30). Temple Health acquires former Cancer Treatment Centers of America campus in northeast Philly. Retrieved from https://www.bizjournals.com/philadelphia/news/2021/08/30/temple-health-acquires-former-cancer-treatment.html
In the new dedicated facility for women's and infants' health, Temple Women and Families Hospital, advanced medical-conditions, including high-risk pregnancies and very high-risk newborns requiring intensive care, will be addressed using science and health-and-wellness strategies, such as the level III Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). The hospital strives to provide patient-centered, family-friendly care in a specialized facility, ensuring the highest level of care through rigorous staff training and a patient-led approach.
