The Columbus Fetal Medicine Collaborative has been formed by Mount Carmel Health System, OhioHealth, The Ohio State University Medical Center and Nationwide Children's Hospital joining together to provide optimal outcomes for high-risk expectant mothers and their babies with suspected fetal abnormalities. This collaboration among all the Columbus hospital systems is one of only a few in the U.S. and brings together a unique blend of medical experience and expertise. The Collaborative offers parents and their babies a comprehensive range of services and treatment options in family-centered environments, including the most advanced diagnostic capabilities available today. The effort is designed to address the complex issues associated with high-risk maternal and fetal care while offering the additional opportunity for shared education and research among the participating organizations.
Richard O'Shaughnessy, MD, director of the fetal treatment program at Ohio State University Medical Center and professor of maternal fetal medicine, and Donna A. Caniano, MD, surgeon-in-chief and chief of pediatric surgery at Nationwide Children's Hospital, co-chair the Columbus Fetal Medicine Collaborative.
"This is a unique collaboration among many of Columbus' most experienced healthcare professionals," says O'Shaughnessy. "This partnership demonstrates the importance of the prenatal period in human development and that the best prenatal care includes not only the mother but her developing baby. Our goal is to optimize the outcome for both mother and baby in complicated pregnancies."
The Collaborative is structured to work closely with perinatologists (physicians who specialize in high-risk pregnancies) to identify all issues, determine the best possible treatments, and provide continuous support from fetal diagnosis through newborn care. A comprehensive range of specialties are available including Cardiology, Pediatric Surgery, Neonatology, Neurosurgery, Interventional Radiology, Imaging, Anesthesia, Craniofacial Surgery, Neurology, Cardiothoracic Surgery, Orthopedics, Clinical Genetics, Urology, Otolaryngology and Hospice and Palliative Care.
"The Columbus Fetal Medicine Collaborative is a unique commitment from Ohio State, OhioHealth, Mount Carmel and Nationwide Children's to offer our patients ---- pregnant women, their families and infants with at-risk fetal conditions ---- the expertise of highly experienced and technically gifted perinatologists, pediatric surgeons, neonatologists and other pediatric specialists who can address all maternal and fetal issues to offer the best outcomes," said Caniano. "A significant additional benefit of the Collaborative will be the ability to conduct maternal-fetal and neonatal services research of the highest caliber which will enable us to provide state-of-the-art patient care. Pregnant women can feel confident that they are receiving the best available care for their at-risk infants."
The Collaborative members meet monthly for case conferences to assure a seamless integrated approach to comprehensive services provided by a fetal medicine coordinator who schedules tests, arranges appointments with specialists, and can assist in selecting a perinatologist. Most importantly, the fetal medicine coordinator is available to answer questions and serve as a single resource of information from the moment of referral to the Collaborative.
Each hospital maintains its own telemedicine suite consisting of large flat screen panel monitors, high definition cameras and supporting transmission technology. Telemedicine technology allows the sharing of both video (ultrasound images, live speakers/moderators) and static information (x-ray images, lab results, MRI pictures, etc) which is critical for consensus-building amongst various clinical disciplines. An immediate sharing of clinical information regarding diagnosis, treatment options and windows for intervention can be accommodated via telemedicine as needed.
SOURCE Columbus Fetal Medicine Collaborative
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