HomeMy WebLinkAbout2010-23V I R G I N I A
RESOLUTION 2010-23
Aaalication to Establish a Neonatal Special Care Unit
WHEREAS, Lewis-Gale Medical Center operates a general acute care hospital in
Salem, Virginia that provides the residents of the City and surrounding localities with
access to high-quality hospital services necessary to any vibrant and growing
community; and
WHEREAS, Lewis-Gale Medical Center offers an array of essential services, but is
not approved to provide neonatal special care services; and
WHEREAS, neonatal special care services are an important service for any hospital
seeking to provide care for all members of its community; and
WHEREAS, Lewis-Gale Medical Center's ability to provide neonatal special care
services is essential to continuity of care for its maternity patients and newborns, whose
care is disrupted when they must obtain neonatal special care services from other
providers; and
WHEREAS, expectant mothers treated at Lewis-Gale Medical Center who find that
their newborns could need neonatal special care services must choose new care teams
in mid-pregnancy after developing important patient-caregiver relationships with their
current care teams; and
WHEREAS, newborns at Lewis-Gale Medical Center in need of neonatal special
care services must be transferred to another facility; and
WHEREAS, transferring newborns for neonatal special care services takes a
tremendous toll on patients and their families, because such transfers can split families
apart within hours of birth because mother and child can be treated at different
hospitals; and
WHEREAS, in addition to-these emotional costs, clinical outcomes are usually better
for families that stay together; and
WHEREAS, the introduction of neonatal special care services at Lewis-Gale Medical
Center will reduce emotional costs and improve clinical outcomes; and
WHEREAS, Lewis-Gale Medical Center has generous charity and uninsured
discount policies and is accessible to all patients regardless of their ability to pay or
payment source.
TOWN OF FULASKI * OFFICE CF THE TOWN MANAGER • P O. BOX 660 • PULASKI, VP, 24 ;Ol • TEL. 540 994-8600 • FAX 64~) 994-86G~?
NOW, THEREFORE LET IT BE RESOLVED, that the Town Council of the Town of
Pulaski supports Lewis-Gale Medical Center's application to establish a neonatal
special care unit at the hospital, ~
AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the T
respectfully urges the Virginia Commissioner of HE
needed project.
Adopted this 7th day of September, 2010.
~ Council of the Town of Pulaski
h to grant approval for this much-
fey S. Worrell
r, Town of Pulaski
Attest:
.~ "
a,.,' a
Patricia Cruise
Clerk of Council