To meet the needs of an aging population, Ochsner St. Mary announces its commitment to provide more adult medical services, while ending its hospital-based labor and delivery service effective April 1. Labor and delivery services will be consolidated at Ochsner St. Anne in nearby Raceland, La. In addition to Ochsner St. Anne, there are also three other local hospitals that provide labor and delivery services.
Over the past several years, deliveries at Ochsner St. Mary have totaled less than 200 each year and less than 16 per month, on average. Among the five area hospitals who provide labor and deliver services, Ochsner St. Mary accounts for fewer than seven percent of the total births in the region. According to the Louisiana Hospital Association’s 2022 ShareCor Utilization Report, Ochsner St. Mary delivered the fewest babies among the 66 reporting hospitals in Louisiana.
Population data estimates from St. Mary Parish project a 6.2 percent decline in woman of childbearing age, whereas the number of adults turning 65 will grow by 10.9 percent over the same period. Realigning service priorities paves the way for greater enhancements to adult service offerings.
All 23 Ochsner employees affected will be offered positions currently available at Ochsner St. Mary, positions in the women’s services department at Ochsner St. Anne or other vacancies across Ochsner Health.
“We continuously evaluate the services offered at the hospital along with our annual community health needs assessment,” said Fernis LeBlanc, CEO, Ochsner Bayou Region. “While it was a difficult decision, and one we did not make in haste, it is the best overall direction for our community. We are committed to our patients and employees, and this change gives us the opportunity to bring new services to meet the needs of our community’s aging population.”
Ochsner St. Mary said it will continue to offer many services for women, such as gynecological surgery, 3D mammography and bone density scans, in keeping care close to home.
The hospital is in the process of notifying current patients and expectant mothers of the change.
Ochsner St. Anne recently completed a renovation to its women’s center which includes new labor and delivery suites.