[Photo of women] Monmouth Medical Center recently conducted a focal group meeting for mothers in Lakewood who had delivered at the hospital to solicit feedback regarding their experience in the hospital. The hospital had reached out to Mrs. Rivky Senderovtiz, who conducts classes to prepare mothers for delivery in the community and is well established in the field. The hospital sent Dr. Graebe, the hospital’s Chief OBGYN and Kathy Wilson, Labor/Delivery Nursing Supervisor to talk with the group in detail about how the hospital could improve.
 
Dr. Graebe discussed many of the statistics at Monmouth, and how the hospital is working to build on their success. Monmouth delivered approximately 4,400 births last year. While the average for C-section delivery in New Jersey is approximately 40%, the average in Monmouth is closer to about 20%. While there are other hospitals that may have a better average rate than the state, the impressive point in this is that Monmouth is handling complex deliveries well above the standard that other hospitals with low C-section rates are attempting. The attention and effort to avoid such operations clearly draws frum clientele, and is a point, which the hospital continues to work on. Graebe will call doctors in if their ratio of C-section deliveries seems to be climbing to ask them why.
 
Some other unique features of the hospital include, having a 24-hour anesthesiologist at the hospital, and a Dr. available at all times for residents so that residents do not make decisions.
 
Although rare, sometimes women have had to double up in post partum. Dr. Graebe made clear that he was aware there were 29 patients who had to do so in the last year and noted that they are expanding their service capabilities to ensure that every delivery can avoid this. In addition to more delivery rooms, the hospital has introduced a new type of wireless fetal monitor. This will enable a woman who needs to be monitored to continue to move around freely adding tremendous convenience to the delivery experience.
 
Mrs. Wilson addressed nursing and post-delivery care. She made sure that each woman was given chance to speak about her experience if she wanted to and express any complaint that she may have. She also noted that in some cases, nurses whom attendees mentioned had already been dismissed because the hospital had recognized that they just didn’t seem to be providing the service that Monmouth expects. Mrs. Wilson left her contact info with each attendee and advised that anyone with any issue regarding nursing should contact her with their name and date of delivery so that she can follow up with attending nurses. Lakewood Shopper.

(Pictured L-R: Mrs. Friedman, Kathy Wilson, Dr Graebe, Mrs Senderowitz).