10/03/2007

Jersey City Medical Center Opens
New Prenatal Diagnosis and Treatment Center
Jersey City Medical Center / Wilzig Hospital has enhanced obstetrics services with a new center to diagnose and treat congenital anomalies and fetal disorders, addressing Hudson County’s vital need for greater care to treat high-risk pregnancies.

The Prenatal Diagnosis and Treatment Center is the first of its kind in Hudson County and provides a unique comprehensive care approach. State-of-the-art technology, including 3D and 4D ultrasound, are available along side maternal fetal medicine specialists, a prenatal nurse coordinator, genetic counselors and other prenatal medical specialties.

As the designated Regional Perinatal Center of Hudson County, Jersey City Medical Center already offers highly specialized services for newborns, including the county’s only Level III Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.

The prenatal center is a collaboration between LibertyHealth System Inc., Jersey City Medical Center / Wilzig Hospital and the Saint Barnabas Health Care System Children’s Hospital of New Jersey at Newark Beth Israel Medical Center in Newark. By providing coordinated care all in one place, the center provides the most comprehensive prenatal care in Hudson County.

"The prenatal center addresses a direct medical need for the people of Hudson County, which has a large number of high-risk pregnancies," said Steve Kirby, acting president and CEO of LibertyHealth System Inc. and Jersey City Medical Center. "Quality and specialized prenatal programs are essential to maintain the health of the fetus and the medical issues faced by the pregnant woman. Coordinating medical treatment throughout the pregnancy reduces medical risks and leads to the birth of healthier babies."

Hudson County has a 41 percent higher death rate for newborns than the state average and high risk factors for low-birth weight babies. Of all deliveries by adolescent mothers in Hudson County, 54 percent are in Jersey City.

The Prenatal Diagnosis and Treatment Center provides comprehensive care and services including genetic counseling, advanced ultrasonography (level I and III) and prenatal screening tests. It also provides ethnic group specific and other studies, including CVS and genetic amniocentesis, that can detect potential congenital anomalies, chromosomal abnormalities and genetic disorders/syndromes.

A team of specialists trained in the management and treatment of high risk mothers and fetal disorders are available at the center, including a prenatal nurse coordinator, genetic counselor, ultrasonographers, social worker, and maternal fetal medicine specialist.

All prenatal diagnostic testing, surveillance and treatment will occur in this center, unless medical need dictates evaluation in Jersey City Medical Center’s high risk obstetrical unit. Depending on the prenatal diagnosis, the care at the center also will be coordinated with neonatology and other pediatric subspecialties.

By coordinating all prenatal care in one place, the center will minimize wait time for pediatric and neonatal services during the pregnancy and reduce the need for multiple visits. Social services also will be available to aid in coping with diagnoses and in obtaining appropriate services, including education and support groups.

In addition, the prenatal center will provide fetal growth ultrasounds and antenatal fetal testing.

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