Heritage evaluates OB unit

Heritage Medical Center is evaluating its obstetrics unit to determine whether it will remain open, according to hospital and county officials.

County Mayor Eugene Ray told the Times-Gazette this morning that Heritage CEO Dan Buckner is "looking at the possibility of closing it" because not enough babies are being born there.

"It is a private enterprise. I didn't urge him to close the department or remain open."

Buckner told the Times-Gazette this morning that the hospital is evaluating the obstetrics department, and all departments, to make sure there is enough volume to deliver competent services.

"I can't deny we're looking into it," he said, stating the hospital continuously looks at all departments to determine whether they're meeting the needs of the community.

In a prior e-mail, Buckner had said, "No determination has been made to close OB services. That said, it is our obligation to continuously assess our healthcare services to ensure that they are aligned with the needs of the community and hospital plans moving forward."

Ray said he would support whatever is best for the county, even if that means driving 18 miles to Tullahoma to get the best service there.

"We want the best service," Ray said, "If they can provide the best service, then residents should go there ... we might provide a specialty in something else."

Ray said that if the hospital does close the obstetrics department, it doesn't mean it's a permanent closure, and as the hospital grows, maybe it could be re-opened.

Dr. Lana Beavers, who's been practicing for 30-plus years, confirmed today that she gave notice in June that at the end of August she would stop delivering babies.

"I think that what is being rumored is a result of my announcement to stop delivering babies," said Beavers, who delivered 156 of 193 babies at Bedford County Medical Center last year. "There is a lot of fear and trepidation as to what will happen."

Beavers said her decision to stop delivering babies comes as a result of her age, and the location of the new hospital.

"I'm 60 years old," said Beavers, who lives on the south side of Shelbyville. She said when the hospital moved to the north side of the county, the longer drive made it too difficult for her to answer calls at the hospital at 3 a.m.

"I will continue to do pre-natal work," she said. "I am not retiring. I am going to step up in other areas, my medical practice, surgical practice and pediatric practice."

Beavers said she delivers 90 percent of the hospital's babies. When asked if there were plans to replace Beavers, Buckner said the hospital is working "to see what we can recruit" for OB and all departments.

Dr. Jan Crean and Dr. Dennis Wieck, the two OB/GYNs employed by the hospital, both confirmed this morning that their contracts with the hospital's OB department have been terminated.

"There's a lot going on," said Beavers. "I am working with Dan and he is working with me to make sure people are covered."

Beavers provides services to patients at the county's health department, which she's done for the last 12-15 years for minimal profit, she said.

According to hospital employees who spoke on condition of anonymity, if the OB department is closed, there will be many deliveries in the hospital's emergency room, which would tie up ER doctors and nurses. This ties up other patients' wait time. Also, not all ER employees are experienced in delivering babies, and are not prepared for OB emergencies, they say.

Heritage Medical Center replaced the old Bedford County Hospital, which was operated by the county. Community Health Systems, of Franklin, bought the old hospital from the county in 2005 and subsequently built Heritage.

Heritage Medical Center opened its doors July 12 on U.S. 231 North across from Shelbyville Municipal Airport.

According to the purchase agreement's continuation of services clause, the "Buyer shall continue to operate the Hospital as a general acute care facility and shall continue all essential services provided at the Hospital by Seller as of the Closing Date, subject to the availability of qualified physicians, such changes as may be necessary or appropriate based on community needs, and economic feasibility, all as determined by Buyer. This covenant shall be subject to changes in governmental policy."

The OB/GYN department has four single-occupancy rooms used for labor, delivery, recovery and postpartum, and two postpartum overflow rooms, according to a Times-Gazette interview with department director Liese Harris conducted in June.

It also features an open, centrally located nurse's station and a nursery.

The department was originally staffed with 12 RNs and two LPNs, in addition to doctors Beavers, Crean and Wieck.

The obstetric facility includes several state-of-the-art conventions, including a central monitoring system and a HALO infant protection system.

"I don't see any reason why you wouldn't want to have your baby here," Harris said prior to the hospital's opening. "When you think about driving to Murfreesboro, with all that traffic, or anywhere else, with the price of gas ... When you think about convenience, simplicity, a personal approach and good care, we have all of it here, and beautiful amenities."