UPMC Mercy moving women's care to Magee

UPMC plans to transition its inpatient women’s health, obstetrics and neonatal intensive care unit from UPMC Mercy to UPMC Magee-Womens Hospital.

Officials said in a news release Thursday that UPMC Magee already provides deliveries as well as other clinical care provided by specialists for high-risk mothers and newborns. UPMC Magee clinicians deliver nearly 9,000 babies each year and its neonatal intensive care unit treats almost 2,000 seriously or critically ill babies every year.

With the construction of the new UPMC Vision and Rehabilitation Hospital set to break ground in coming months UPMC Mercy is poised to grow its clinical services. Mercy offers specialized patient care services including rehabilitation services, a new digestive health center and enhanced treatment for addiction.

“Concentrating UPMC’s local obstetric services at Magee, which is less than two miles away from Mercy and is one of the nation’s premier women’s specialty hospitals, is a prudent use of organizational resources,” said Michael Grace, president of UPMC Mercy. “In working through the transition, we acknowledge the importance of our Catholic mission and that many patients who chose Mercy for childbirth do so for our dedication and adherence to the Catholic faith.”

The transition begins in March.

Dr. Richard Beigi, president of UPMC Magee, said it has a practice of being respectful of individual moral and religious principles, while at the same time providing comprehensive reproductive services for women.

“Our hospital has extensive experience caring for women of all religions, and a chaplain from the Diocese of Pittsburgh is available on-site to provide spiritual care for new and expectant Catholic mothers,” he said. “In addition, we are enhancing collaboration between Mercy and Magee to ensure Catholic patients’ needs are met.”

Beigi said the transition of care for pregnant patients to Magee is a “very high priority” and they are working with each patient currently under the care of Mercy clinicians to thoroughly plan for her new delivery location.

UPMC Mercy employees affected are being offered the opportunity to apply for vacant positions at Mercy, Magee and other UPMC hospitals and physician offices.

UPMC Magee is planning tours for expectant mothers so they can become familiar with the hospital. Patients with questions about clinical services or transition specifics can call 412-641-1960.

Emily Balser is a Tribune-Review staff writer. You can contact Emily at 724-226-4680, emilybalser@tribweb.com or via Twitter @emilybalser.