December 3, 2024
CHI Saint Joseph Health, UK HealthCare collaborate to expand access to vulnerable populations

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Oct. 9, 2024) — CHI Saint Joseph Health and UK HealthCare have announced an agreement for UK HealthCare to provide coverage for the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) at Women’s Hospital at Saint Joseph East.

The collaboration ensures that mothers and newborns at Saint Joseph East have access to the highest quality care when it is needed. UK HealthCare and CHI Saint Joseph Health initiated the agreement on July 1.

Specifically, under the agreement, neonatologists and advanced practice providers from UK HealthCare’s Kentucky Children’s Hospital will provide care for babies in the NICU, including those who are born prematurely, facing acute health complications, and/or requiring other specialized medical attention. This collaboration is similar to other agreements UK has with partners across the state and is consistent with the guidelines of a Level IV NICU provider. Kentucky Children’s Hospital has one of only two Level IV NICUs in Kentucky and is the only one serving central and eastern Kentucky.

“At CHI Saint Joseph Health, we believe that collaboration is essential to delivering the highest quality care to our patients,” said Christy Spitser, interim market president, CHI Saint Joseph Health. “Our mission calls us to improve the health of the people we serve, especially those who are vulnerable. We are proud to partner with UK HealthCare to serve our most vulnerable patients. Together, we can make a real difference in the lives of those who need it most.”

This agreement signifies a significant step forward for neonatal care in Lexington. Because of Saint Joseph East’s access to UK HealthCare’s pool of providers, families with a baby in the NICU can be confident that there will never be a gap in coverage.

“At Kentucky Children’s Hospital, we have a mission and responsibility to serve Kentucky’s kids, particularly families that need access to advanced and specialty care,” said Scottie B. Day, M.D., the physician-in-chief at Kentucky Children’s Hospital. “This new relationship with Saint Joseph East allows us to accomplish just that, by expanding access to care for Kentucky’s smallest and most vulnerable patients. We are excited to have an outstanding community hospital system in Common Spirit join our team of strong community partners across the state who have the same goal we do: focusing on the improved overall health and well-being of Kentucky’s future generations.”

“We’re excited to begin this needed partnership,” said Peter Giannone, M.D., the chief of the Department of Neonatology at Kentucky Children’s Hospital and who will help provide coverage now at Saint Joseph East. “Families with a little one in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at Saint Joseph East can trust that experienced, highly trained health care providers will be looking after their baby’s health. Not only can families expect evidence-based guidance in care during the hospital stay, but also comprehensive follow-up care once their baby is home.”

The agreement also fosters an exchange of knowledge and resources. Saint Joseph East teams will have direct access to the UK HealthCare training and workflow, further enhancing neonatal care at the facility.

“As health care professionals, we’re looking forward to the exchange of knowledge and resources that can come from this partnership,” Giannone said. “Saint Joseph East’s already accomplished Level III NICU will now have access to a team at UK HealthCare running a Level IV NICU that cares for the smallest and most critically ill babies in the Bluegrass.”

CHI Saint Joseph Health, part of CommonSpirit Health, is one of the largest and most comprehensive health systems in the Commonwealth of Kentucky with 100 locations in 20 counties, including hospitals, physician groups, clinics, primary care centers, specialty institutes, home health agencies and an ambulatory Care Center. The hospitals in CHI Saint Joseph Health are Flaget Memorial Hospital, Saint Joseph Berea, Saint Joseph East, Saint Joseph Hospital, Saint Joseph Jessamine, Saint Joseph London, Saint Joseph Mount Sterling, and Women’s Hospital at Saint Joseph East. In total, the health system serves patients in 35 counties statewide. CHI Saint Joseph Health is dedicated to providing a wide array of services toward a goal of building a healthier future for all. CHI Saint Joseph Health embodies a strong mission and faith-based heritage and works through local partnerships to expand access to care in the communities it serves.

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