Sky Lakes Medical Center - Family Maternity Outpatient Services

What is it?

The Sky Lakes Medical Center provides first-time moms with an at-home visit by a registered nurse who is also a certified lactation consultant. Home visits are made in 1 to 3 days from the time of discharge to determine if both mom and baby are doing well. During home visits, the nurse will conduct a complete head-to-toe physical assessment of the baby (including checking weight), and mothers will receive an assessment of their physical and emotional recovery.

Who is it for?

Any first-time mother who lives in the medical center’s service area (southcentral Oregon and northeastern California) and gives birth at Sky Lakes is eligible for a free home visit or, minimally, a phone call. If a first-time mom lives outside the service area, she can come into the hospital for a free mother/baby assessment.

Why do they do it?

The Sky Lakes Medical Center wants to make certain that mothers and babies get the start they deserve. While in the birthing center, mothers-to-be receive breastfeeding instruction and other advice. The stress of having a new baby, however, may prevent moms from retaining that information. Breastfeeding problems or other concerns can be resolved early on by the visiting registered nurse. This service helps identify problems early and refers immediate needs to the patient’s physician or an appropriate social service agency. Home visits and triage phone calls are instrumental in preventing readmissions of infants because of weight loss, dehydration, poor nutrition, jaundice or infection; they may also identify infections or other matters of concern in moms.

Impact

In 2007, 257 home visits were made, and 411 telephone triage sessions were conducted. Ten percent of the visits and/or phone calls revealed that a mom or baby had an immediate need and required referral to a physician. Families may be referred to local agencies, such as Healthy Start, if there are ongoing parenting needs; public health programs accept referrals for preemies or infants with special physical needs.

Contact: Tom Hottman
Public Information Officer
Telephone: 541-882-6311, ext. 4797
E-mail: thottman@skylakes.org