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to s x i markham stouffville hospim markham estoumb i antenatal postpartum clinics provide continuum of care uj from page 1 5 houses a warm atmosphere in the centre q- the rooms are painted in soft pastels and a decorators touch is evident in the floral border stenciling ten of the rooms are designated for singlepatient use while another six can accommodate two post partum patients at a time still another will have a double bed for family use we recognize the fact that hospital care is an evolutionary process and were trying to respond to the needs of the communi ty comments patient care coordinator caroline harris we hope the new centre reflects the diversity of patient needs and in the process we will assess what works well and what doesnt so we can more effectively give patients the care they want ideas that we heard at a community focus group last summer have guided us as we designed our new centre in addition the antenatal and postpar tum clinic activity is scheduled to begin early april says patient care coordinator sharon the new singleroom maternity con- moore this is an exciting change because cept in markham stouffville hospl- it really will enhance the quality of maternal tals childbirth and childrens centre care the hospital offers well be working offers mothers comfort and privacy closely with each patient to devise an indi- slated to begin in june one room vidual plan of care the antenatal clinic provides motherstobe the opportunity to familiarize themselves with the hospital environment and staff before they deliver and will aug ment what they may have learned at prenatal classes the postpartum clinic gives easy access to informa- classes and individual teaching the postpartum clinic will be available to patients on hon on breast feeding nutrition and baby care through photo by lori emmerson the expanded special care nursery in the centre has space for 16 infants and is in close proximity to the maternity rooms j- is aiiipntunnejrc on usfsceofcueiinq while the communitys concerns maintain gapprrmwnlcjoagol itfa an ongoing basis moore adds this is a real benefit because it gives mothers a chance to ask questions at their own pace as they go through the babys stages of development rather than being bombarded with instructions directly after the birth of their child also included in the centre is an obstetric assessment unit and enlarged special care nursery the obstetric assessment unit provides an experi enced obstetric nurse at all times to provide immediate assessment of labor and to respond to any questions and concerns over the phone this decreases the time spent waiting to see a health care provider at the hospital and means the patient doesnt get admitted until she actually needs to do so the unit also provides expectant mothers with peace of mind and reassurance that all is well the new expanded special care nursery has space for 16 newboms and cares for babies with special needs including premature babies or those who need extra nursing and medical care after birth a short distance from the birthing rooms it is easily accessible for new parents who are encouraged to help with their childs care while in scn a paediatrician and specially educated nursing staff monitor and take care of special needs babies for the duration of their stay seven mid wives have privilege of use of the materni ty facilities at markham stouffville hospital and in fact the hospital accommodated the firstever mid wifeassisted birth in a cana dian hospital in january 1994 a provincial study released last year by the institute for clinical evaluative sciences revealed that the hospital has one of the lowest caesarean section rates and other intervention rates ie use of forceps were also very low statistics for the study were taken from 199192 our philosophy is that pregnancy is a normal life event harris says we dont rush it wed rather take time and let the natural event occur paediatrics will also be housed in the new centre providing a continuum of care which is especially important for children maclean adds we want to encourage the community to come to our open house this sunday to find out more about the centre photo by lori emmerson jg for communi and we only will be used for the delivery forward to residents taking full advantage of recovery and postpartum process all the programs and services we offer the hospital is one of only two oth- tours of the new centre will be available ers in canada offering this innovative during the open house and fifth birthday approach to the birthing process celebration at the markham stouffville hos- pital on sunday march 5 1 to 4 pm park ing is free of charge for the day f nun limit iiiiiiiij huh him iimi i mm i ill i mm- mm ii wail urn i willi ffllims photo by lori emmerson the obstetric assessment unit pictured above provides an experienced obstetric nurse at all times to provide immediate assessment of labor the hospital is located at 381 church street markham for more information call 9054727000