Temple opens New Women and Families hospital to Combat Philadelphia’s Maternal Health Crisis
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Philadelphia, PA – Temple University Hospital unveiled its state-of-the-art Temple Women and Families Hospital today, a strategic response to alarmingly high maternal and infant mortality rates within the city. The new facility, located in the Frankford neighborhood, aims to provide comprehensive and accessible healthcare for women and families, filling a critical gap in the region’s healthcare landscape.
Addressing a Critical Need
Philadelphia’s maternal and infant mortality rates consistently exceed the national average, a disparity that has prompted urgent calls for improved access to care. According to data from the philadelphia Department of Public Health, the city faces important challenges in ensuring positive birth outcomes for all residents. “If you look around the City of Philadelphia, 13 out of 19 maternity programs have closed, so that has created a huge void,” stated Abhi Rastogi, president and CEO of Temple University Hospital. This closure of programs has left many pregnant individuals with limited options and substantial barriers to receiving timely medical attention.
The hospital’s location was deliberately chosen after a thorough community needs assessment. Rastogi explained, “We learned that our current program, 70-75% of our patients come from zip codes that are closer to this facility then the Temple Broad facility, and so it makes it easier to bring great clinical care closer to the patient’s home.” This proximity is intended to reduce transportation burdens and improve access for those most in need.
Innovative Design and Expanded Services
The Temple Women and Families Hospital boasts 32 maternity rooms and 41 Neonatal Intensive Care unit (NICU) rooms, designed to foster family-centered care. The rooms are intentionally designed to accommodate not only the mother and newborn but also partners and extended family,with furniture that converts into beds for overnight stays.
Pro Tip: Family-centered care has been shown to improve maternal mental health and bonding with newborns.
Beyond childbirth services, the hospital offers a comprehensive suite of women’s health services, including mammograms, cancer treatment, and menopause management, all with on-site testing, scanning, and prescription fulfillment. Televisions in each room provide access to educational resources on parenting and healthcare, as well as complimentary meal ordering.
Streamlined Care Delivery
to enhance efficiency and collaboration, specialists, doctors, and nurses share team stations, enabling faster and more integrated care. Dedicated counselors will also provide ongoing support to newborns and their families for the first year of life. This holistic approach recognizes the importance of long-term well-being beyond the immediate postpartum period.
| Feature | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Maternity Rooms | 32 |
| NICU Rooms | 41 |
| Maternity Programs Closed in Philadelphia | 13 (out of 19) |
| Patients from Closer zip Codes | 70-75% |
Did You Know? The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) recommends comprehensive postpartum care, including physical and mental health assessments, to optimize maternal outcomes [[1]].
What impact do you think this new hospital will have on Philadelphia’s maternal mortality rates? How can communities better support new mothers and families?
The Growing Maternal Health Crisis
The United States faces a concerning maternal mortality rate compared to other developed nations. Factors contributing to this crisis include systemic inequities in healthcare access, chronic health conditions, and a lack of coordinated care. addressing thes challenges requires a multi-faceted approach, including increased funding for maternal health programs, improved data collection, and a focus on culturally competent care. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) provides valuable resources and data on maternal mortality trends [[2]].
Frequently Asked Questions
- What services does the Temple Women and Families Hospital offer? The hospital provides comprehensive maternity care,NICU services,mammograms,cancer treatment,and menopause management.
- Why was this hospital built in Frankford? The location was chosen to improve access to care for the majority of Temple’s maternity patients who reside in nearby zip codes.
- What is being done to address the high maternal mortality rates in Philadelphia? The hospital is a strategic response to the closure of other maternity programs and aims to fill a critical gap in healthcare access.
- How are families supported at the new hospital? Rooms are designed to accommodate family members, and counselors provide ongoing support for the first year after birth.
- What makes this hospital different from other maternity facilities? The hospital’s focus on family-centered care, streamlined care delivery, and comprehensive services sets it apart.
We encourage you to share this critically important news with your network and join the conversation about improving maternal health in Philadelphia. Subscribe to our newsletter for more updates on healthcare initiatives and community news.
