March 2, 2020 -- The Mendocino Coast District Hospital Board of Directors voted unanimously Thursday to close the Labor and Delivery Department on March 31st and implement a “Stabilize and Transfer” plan.
Under the plan, women in labor will be transported to Adventist Health Ukiah Valley via ambulance or to UCSF in high-risk situations. At the meeting, Emergency Department staff outlined their efforts to prepare nurses and physicians to care for women and their newborns in the event of a quick or unexpected delivery on the coast. Preparation efforts included ongoing trainings for neonatal resuscitation, hemorrhage, breach and other life-threatening occurrences. In addition, staff consulted with neighboring hospitals, such as Healdsburg District Hospital, that have also closed their obstetrics departments.
During public comment, concerns arose regarding the availability of ambulance transportation, the lack of support for low income families having their babies out of town, the absence of local recovery services and third trimester prenatal care.