St. Charles Madras not delivering babies for 30 days

Effective at noon Friday, obstetrical services at St. Charles Madras are being diverted for about 30 days to allow the hospital “to stabilize its staffing situation and provide a higher level of service to patients,” the hospital organization announced.

“The temporary closure will allow obstetrical nurses-in-training to more quickly complete their clinical requirements at the hospitals in Bend and Redmond, both of which have higher volumes of deliveries,” the hospital said in a statement.

Any woman in the Madras area who goes into active labor within the next 30 days should go directly to St. Charles Redmond, the hospital advised.

However, nurses and physicians will still be available at St. Charles Madras to assess and consult with any patient who arrives in the Emergency Department with an OB-related emergency.

“It’s important to know that if a woman in labor cannot safely get to Redmond for delivery, she can still come here for help,” said St. Charles Madras CEO Jeanie Gentry. “Patient safety is always our No. 1 concern.”

Madras obstetricians will be reaching out to expecting mothers to ensure they are aware of this change, and to help arrange alternate delivery plans.