Baptist Health Paducah introduces region's first Obstetrical Emergency Department

(PADUCAH, KY) Jan. 28, 2025 - Baptist Health Paducah is excited to announce a joint-partnership with Ob Hospitalist Group (OBHG) to provide women at all stages of pregnancy access to onsite emergency care from board certified OB/GYN physicians and Certified Nurse Midwives (CNM) 24-hours-a-day, seven days a week.  The clinical staff, employed by OBHG, will collaborate with Baptist Health Medical Group OB/GYN obstetricians and CNM’s to offer patients the highest level of care. 

The new OB hospitalist program, which debuted in April 2024, expands existing services through onsite clinicians with immediate availability for emergency care and deliveries, unscheduled C-sections, patient evaluations and inpatient consults, pregnancy and postpartum emergencies, and discharges.

“The program offers peace of mind to patients, ensuring that a skilled OB/GYN is always available to step in and provide immediate care whenever needed,” said Lisa Parnell, Director of Mother/Baby Care at Baptist Health Paducah. “These physicians are an extension of the hospital’s labor and delivery department. Whether for routine deliveries or unexpected emergencies, the on-site presence of a dedicated hospital-based physician guarantees timely attention at a moment’s notice.”

Any patient who is pregnant or was recently pregnant can be seen for emergent needs at the new OB-ED and then discharged to their regular provider for follow-up. Any preterm pregnant patient can be seen in the OB-ED and feel confident in the advanced level of services we provide. If the patient happens to deliver, and the baby needs special attention, the baby will be well-cared for in the John & Loree Eckstein Level 3 Neonatal Intensive Care unit.

The partnership builds on Baptist Health Paducah’s ongoing efforts to address maternal and infant health. In 2017, the hospital renovated the labor & delivery and Mother-Baby suites with hotel-like accommodations. In addition, the hospital opened the 8000 square foot John & Loree Eckstein Neonatal Intensive Care unit featuring:

• The region’s only Level III NICU offering advanced care that keeps families together and close to home for newborns delivered as early as 26 weeks.
• The NICU is led by local neonatologist, Dr. Ed O’Neill, comprised of dedicated certified registered nurses, certified respiratory therapists, occupational therapists, speech language pathologists, and advanced care practitioners, all specializing in high-risk neonatal care.
• Neonatal transport services to other area hospitals so babies can get the care they need close to home.
• Accepts maternal transfers, so the expecting mother and baby can receive care all in one place.

Baptist Health Paducah shares our commitment to high standards and evidence-based best practices to improve maternal-infant outcomes, and we are excited to have them in our nationwide network of partner hospitals,” said Lenny Castiglione, Chief Executive Officer, OB Hospitalist Group. “We are looking forward to caring for women and newborns in western Kentucky communities.

All unscheduled labor and delivery or postpartum patients should come straight to Labor & Delivery via the Larry Barton Atrium entrance, located in Medical Park 2 on the second floor. From there, maternal or postpartum patients will be taken to the OBED.

For more information about Baptist Health Paducah’s Labor & Delivery Department, or to sign up for a tour of the unit, call 270.415.7264.