By Wayne E. Rivet

Staff Writer

Mothers-to-be will soon need to travel outside of the Lake Region area to deliver their babies.

Bridgton Hospital will close its Obstetrics program as of Sept. 17. Consistently low delivery numbers moved hospital leadership to pull the plug on OB and dedicate those financial resources to expand other services, such as cardiology, orthopedics and urology.

“We’ve made the difficult decision to close the OB program, a decision which we did not take lightly. We’re just not big enough to keep the program going,” Bridgton Hospital president Peter Wright told The NewsMonday. 

Wright saidBridgton Hospital is refocusing its resources to expand healthcare services that will have the most impact on the health and well-being of the community. Demographic and other trends call for a greater investment in areas including pediatrics, primary care, cardiology, orthopedics, urology, podiatry, general surgery, gynecology and gastroenterology. As the hospital deepens its focus on those areas, it will be phasing out its obstetrical services effective Sept 17. 

“We did not come to this point easily, but ultimately it’s the right choice for our community to put our resources toward areas of greater need,” Wright said. “It’s clear that we need to invest in these areas and expand access to these services for the communities we serve.” 

Wright noted that Bridgton Hospital is not unique in having to make such a decision on its obstetrical services. Hospitals across Maine and in rural areas around the country have faced the same situation over the past decade. 

BH delivers about 50 babies a year, a number that falls short in making the program “sustainable.” Mothers can choose between several other nearby facilities, such as Stephens Memorial, Memorial Hospital in North Conway (each less than an hour away from the Lake Region), or bigger hospitals such as Maine Medical and Central Maine Medical.

The September closure date will enable women in their third trimester to deliver at Bridgton Hospital, as planned. Those women in their first or second trimester will need to consider other facilities. Presently, the OB program had 35 moms expecting to deliver in 2021.

Bridgton Hospital team members have notified each of its active obstetrics patients about the change. 

“Amy Dugas, our region clinic director, and I personally called each patient to share the news, help them understand the changes and when appropriate, explain what options expecting parents had moving forward. We felt it was important that they hear this very personal news from Bridgton Hospital leadership,” Wright said. “The response has been gracious and kind.”

Meanwhile, Birthwise — where individuals study to be midwives — had partnered with Bridgton Hospital to assist with difficult births. Wright said Birthwise officials will likely reach out to nearby hospitals once Bridgton closes its OB program. Wright did point out that some ER staff will undergo training needed to assist with emergency deliveries.

“It is a difficult decision,” said John L. Alexander, MD, MHCM, FACEP, chief medical officer for Central Maine Healthcare. “But the low volume of births taking place at the hospital was a critical factor. We feel it’s the best decision to ensure we continue best practices and meet our obligation to provide safe, high-quality care that matches the needs of the community.” 

Annually, Bridgton Hospital delivers only about 50 babies – roughly 30% of deliveries in its service area. In addition to financial stress, low volume creates staffing challenges. 

As for existing OB staff, clerical workers will be shifted to other areas of need, while nurses will move to other departments. When asked if any OB nurses have left as the result of the closure decision, Wright said, “As of today, no.”

BH had just one OB/GYN physician and a certified midwife. Recently, obstetrical patients at BH were sent to Central Maine Medical Center in Lewiston because the lone obstetrician went on an unexpected leave. Hospitals must have an obstetrical surgeon on call to handle emergency cesarean sections. According to a published report, diverting patients has been in place since June 5, although Wright pointed out that the hospital expects the obstetrician to return next week.

Wright emphasized that the decision to close the OB program was made only after a comprehensive examination by a multidisciplinary committee made up of medical staff, administration, clinical leadership and the guidance of a national expert on hospital operations. The committee thoroughly reviewed and analyzed the market, known and accepted clinical competencies, potential risk and finances. Based on their work, the operating committee formulated a recommendation that 

Bridgton Hospital leadership reviewed with system physician chiefs and the Central Maine Healthcare Board of Directors, who ultimately approved the decision. 

“We are grateful for the dedication and compassionate care our team members have provided to obstetrics patients and their contributions to a very special part of the hospital’s work,” Wright said. “We hope that they will stay on at Bridgton Hospital to serve our communities in different and important ways as we adapt to meet the changing needs of our patients.” 

Hospital officials are looking at how Bridgton Hospital can continue to serve expectant families. They are in discussions about a possible collaboration to provide a pre-natal clinic on the Bridgton Hospital campus, with babies delivered at the other organization’s maternity ward.