HIGH-RISK PREGNANCY CARE NO LONGER AT RISK
Twenty-five years ago, Dr. Roger Rowels looked to improve care for central Washington patients navigating high-risk pregnancies. He worked with a hospital system in western Washington to have a perinatologist visit once a month. This trained specialist managed complications from high-risk pregnancies and ensured the best outcomes for both mother and baby. Over the years, demand grew and the need for easily accessible Maternal Fetal Medicine (MFM) became evident which resulted in central Washington based services in 2013.
However, in 2022, Memorial Hospital and the University of Washington were unable to continue MFM services in Yakima. The loss of these services would force patients to travel to Tri-Cities or Seattle. Given that over 60% of individuals seeking MFM care were Yakima Valley Farm Workers Clinic patients, we felt the need to step in and retain as much of the program as possible until a long-term solution presented itself.
It is more common for a hospital system to deliver MFM, but with no other healthcare entity stepping in to meet the need, we went to work exploring all options with our community partners.
CONTINUITY OF CARE
Preserving the program’s sonographers, nurses, medical assistants, and other clinical staff was the first step in preserving MFM services in the region. To lose their talents would have been a significant blow to the continuation of care for those using MFM services as we restructured the program.
Next, a home for the community’s MFM care needed to be found. Children’s Village, a specialized facility Yakima Valley Farm Workers Clinic co-operates with MultiCare, supports children with special health and developmental needs, and was a natural fit for MFM services. Once the specialized ultrasound, collaborative pediatric cardiology/perinatology work area, and nonstress test rooms are complete, our MFM services will have a permanent home in one of the state’s premier family care locations.
“I’ve been lucky to know a lot of children who are here today because of the impact of these services and it’s amazing to see how much support these families have thanks to this collaborative effort” Karly Floyd, Clinic Director at Children’s Village.
COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS AND COLLABORATION
MFM is a collaborative field involving a perinatologist, genetic counselors, sonographers, and nurses. Their expertise enables us to offer a wide range of specialized services, including prenatal screening, genetic counseling, and high-risk pregnancy management.
MultiCare provides essential technical expertise, expanded genetic consultation services, and strong partner relationships, making central Washington MFM services possible.
“MultiCare’s collaboration with Yakima Valley Farm Workers Clinic underscores our shared commitment to a healthy, vibrant community. Together, we ensure that Maternal Fetal Medicine services remain accessible in Yakima, sparing families the stress of long-distance travel,” said Kimberly Johnstone, Clinical Director for Women’s and Children’s Services at MultiCare Yakima Memorial Hospital. “This partnership strengthens our healthcare system and keeps families connected and supported within their community.”
Now, with our partners in MultiCare and Ouma Health, we have been able to fully resurrect those services in central Washington.
MEETING CURRENT NEEDS
While construction is underway at Children’s Village, services are available at our West Valley Family Health and OB/GYN Clinic. We continue to engage all our healthcare partners to ensure regional professionals that serve pregnant patients know about, and when needed, refer to our MFM program.
The restructuring of MFM services in Central Washington is a testament to the power of collaboration and partnership across the healthcare landscape. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to MultiCare and Seattle Children’s Hospital for their commitment to this cause. With this dedicated team, we’re ready to provide life-saving care for expectant mothers and families.
Update: On October 4th of 2024, Maternal Fetal Medicine services moved to the new location in Children’s Village.