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Supporting Rural Maternity Care in Illinois

As access to maternity care dwindles in rural areas, the Illinois Critical Access Hospital Network (ICAHN) is turning the spotlight on the member hospitals that continue to provide crucial labor and delivery services. In a time where many rural communities are facing significant healthcare challenges, ICAHN emphasizes an essential message: every hospital in their network is prepared to handle obstetric emergencies.

Currently, Illinois has 20 rural hospitals that offer labor and delivery services, with eight being part of ICAHN. Among these are hospitals such as Carle Richland Memorial Hospital in Olney and SSM Health Good Samaritan Hospital located in Mt. Vernon. These facilities provide vital access to prenatal care, labor and delivery, and postpartum services, ensuring that families receive care close to home.

While there are hospitals without dedicated labor and delivery departments, ICAHN assures the public that these facilities are not unprepared. All emergency department staff are well-trained to respond to unexpected deliveries and to handle immediate care scenarios when pregnant patients arrive at their doors seeking assistance.

Tracy Warner, the executive director of ICAHN, emphasizes the importance of every minute during a medical emergency. "We're incredibly proud of the hospitals that continue to offer labor and delivery services despite facing considerable financial and workforce challenges. Our mission is to provide safe, high-quality care closer to home," she states.

To bolster emergency obstetric preparedness, ICAHN has partnered with Laerdal Medical and McDonough District Hospital in Macomb to launch an extensive four-part simulation training series tailored for rural healthcare teams. The initiative began on March 10-11 and will run through November, with each segment focusing on a specific high-risk clinical scenario that rural emergency departments may face.

For instance, the first two sessions covered topics such as Precipitous Delivery and Neonatal Assessment, while subsequent trainings focus on complex scenarios including Shoulder Dystocia and Precipitous Breech Delivery. Each simulation aims to enhance preparedness, bolster patient safety, and empower healthcare teams to deliver high-quality care during critical situations.

Warner adds, "Simulation-based education allows healthcare teams to build confidence, strengthen teamwork, and maintain important skills. While emergency deliveries are relatively uncommon, being ready for such events is crucial."

The training, supported by a $55,000 grant from the Federal Emergency Medical Services for Children and the Health Resources and Services Administration, integrates realistic experiences with Laerdal’s training tools. This hands-on environment allows emergency department teams to effectively practice managing critical obstetric emergencies.

As the healthcare landscape faces obstetric workforce shortages and financial pressures nationwide, ICAHN remains steadfast in its commitment to educating and equipping rural and critical access hospitals. Their focus is on ensuring that mothers and their babies receive safe and timely care, fostering healthier communities across Illinois.

About ICAHN
The Illinois Critical Access Hospital Network (ICAHN) is a prominent advocate and collaborator committed to enhancing the performance, sustainability, and overall health of rural hospitals in Illinois. Representing 56 critical access hospitals recognized by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, ICAHN aims to support hospitals and foster healthier rural environments through collaborative efforts and shared solutions. For more details, visit icahn.org or call 815.875.2999.