University Hospitals Launches Mobile Obstetrics Imaging Unit

CLEVELAND – University Hospitals (UH) MacDonald Women’s Hospital is expanding Maternal Fetal Medicine (MFM) services to Portage and Lorain counties with the launch of a first-of-its-kind mobile obstetrics imaging unit focused on fetal ultrasound.

The UH Mobile OB Unit was made possible thanks to a significant gift from the Lozick Family Foundation, with additional support from FirstEnergy Foundation, Lincoln Electric Foundation and Sherwin Williams Foundation. UH will host a ribbon cutting event and tours of the new mobile unit on Wednesday, May 8, at 10 a.m. in Lakeside Garden on UH Cleveland Medical Center’s main campus.

“We have been working on bringing this high-quality fetal ultrasound closer to our patients for quite some time and it is exciting to see it finally come to fruition,” says David Hackney, MD, Chief of Maternal Fetal Medicine, UH Cleveland Medical Center. “The flexibility and efficiency of the unit will allow our experts to care for more women during pregnancy and fill gaps in access to care. Throughout the country, and also in Northeast Ohio, health risks of pregnancy like high blood pressure and preterm birth have been rising. Expert prenatal care, including fetal imaging, can help address this trend.”

MFM imaging is a specialized diagnostic process used during pregnancy to enhance safety for the mother and provide reassurance regarding fetal well-being. Expectant moms should receive two to three ultrasounds during their pregnancy, providing critical information to OBGYNs:

•       Confirm heartbeat, position, and estimated due date

•       Investigate potential complications for mom or baby

•       Proactively identify congenital anomalies that require a coordinated birth plan with specialists to protect both the mom and baby

“Too many of our patients do not have access to critical prenatal care and maternal fetal medicine imaging in their communities,” says Patti DePompei, President, UH Rainbow Babies & Children’s and MacDonald Women’s hospitals. “It is our mission to ensure more women receive the expert imaging they need to give birth to a healthy baby safely and confidently.”

The UH Mobile OB Unit hit the road on Monday, April 29. It travels five days per week to perform fetal ultrasounds for pregnant patients. On Tuesday and Friday the truck will be located in the parking lot of UH Elyria Medical Center, and on Monday, Wednesday and Thursday at UH Portage Medical Center. The truck is staffed with specialty sonographers, and MFM experts review the ultrasounds remotely.