Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News Editorials & Other Articles General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

In It to Win It

(12,648 posts)
Thu Mar 30, 2023, 11:12 PM Mar 2023

Another Idaho hospital to stop delivering babies, cites 'labor and delivery staffing'

Another Idaho hospital to stop delivering babies, cites ‘labor and delivery staffing’


Valor Health, the only hospital in Emmett, announced Wednesday that starting in a couple of months, it no longer will provide labor and delivery services to the city of nearly 8,000 people.

A news release from the hospital cited financial challenges and an ongoing staffing crisis as the reasons.

The hospital’s board of trustees voted to support the move at a meeting March 28, following recommendations from Valor Health CEO Brad Turpen. The hospital plans to provide care for existing patients through June 1.

“Valor Health is already facing an imminent labor and delivery service divert situation,” the news release said. “It has been increasingly difficult and unsustainably expensive to recruit and retain a full team of high-quality, broad-spectrum nurses to work in a rural setting where nurses need to be proficient in many different fields.”

Valor Health is on track to deliver fewer than 50 babies this year, below its historical average of 66 per year, according to the news release.

After June 1, the hospital said it plans to send its patients to health systems outside Gem County for labor and delivery services. The closest hospital to Valor Health is West Valley Regional Medical Center in Caldwell, about 28 miles away.
5 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
Another Idaho hospital to stop delivering babies, cites 'labor and delivery staffing' (Original Post) In It to Win It Mar 2023 OP
Horrible. All the smaller and rural hospitals closing are AllyCat Mar 2023 #1
Too much risk with the garbage anti-abortion laws in ID. roamer65 Mar 2023 #2
Emmett is in the heart of North Utah jmowreader Mar 2023 #4
Good luck, Idaho EMTs. Sky Jewels Mar 2023 #3
My kid was born in eastern Oregon because we Vogon_Glory Mar 2023 #5

AllyCat

(18,842 posts)
1. Horrible. All the smaller and rural hospitals closing are
Thu Mar 30, 2023, 11:14 PM
Mar 2023

a disservice to patients, even if it’s just one unit. It’s dangerous. Maybe for profit healthcare is a bad idea. They prioritize their money over staff and patients.

roamer65

(37,953 posts)
2. Too much risk with the garbage anti-abortion laws in ID.
Fri Mar 31, 2023, 12:37 AM
Mar 2023

I don’t blame these hospitals for doing it. More should.

jmowreader

(53,193 posts)
4. Emmett is in the heart of North Utah
Fri Mar 31, 2023, 12:52 AM
Mar 2023

It’s also in the middle of fucking nowhere. If these guys say they can’t afford to run an LDR suite…believe them.

 

Sky Jewels

(9,148 posts)
3. Good luck, Idaho EMTs.
Fri Mar 31, 2023, 12:41 AM
Mar 2023

Looks like it’s gonna be up to you to do the baby birthing’ in Idaho.

Vogon_Glory

(10,297 posts)
5. My kid was born in eastern Oregon because we
Fri Mar 31, 2023, 04:48 AM
Mar 2023

wanted to “own the libs.”




God help birthing mothers in Central Idaho as the consequences of the reactionary Republican legislature keeps mounting…

Latest Discussions»General Discussion»Another Idaho hospital to...