In December, Cleveland Clinic Martin Health announced plans to centralize childbirth services for Martin/St. Lucie at its Cleveland Clinic Tradition Hospital location in Port St. Lucie. The change will begin on April 1, 2025.
As a result of this change, a new Level 3 Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (Level 3 NICU) will begin offering higher-level care for high-risk mothers and newborns.
Service Continuity
Cleveland Clinic patients will still be able to receive gynecological and prenatal care in Stuart, while their babies will be delivered at Tradition Hospital. It is emphasized that mothers can schedule all their prenatal appointments during pregnancy at the Stuart Family Health Center. The only difference will be where babies are born.
A primary reason for this change is the national shortage of obstetricians in the U.S. Maintaining multiple active delivery rooms presents significant challenges due to the lack of specialists and population growth.
Challenges in the Field of Obstetrics
Demand for obstetrics and gynecology services has increased, especially in growing areas like Port St. Lucie, one of the five fastest-growing areas in the U.S. At the same time, the shortage of obstetricians has made it difficult to maintain adequate staffing levels. Cleveland Clinic in Florida recognizes these challenges and is taking action while continuing to provide high-quality medical care for women and families in our community.
To address these challenges, Cleveland Clinic in Florida will implement the following changes:
1. Centralized obstetric services: Beginning April 1, Cleveland Clinic Martin North Hospital’s delivery services will move to Cleveland Clinic Tradition Hospital. This centralization will allow Tradition Hospital to specialize in high-risk obstetrics and offer comprehensive maternal-fetal medicine care. This will include the addition of a Level 3 Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). This will provide the highest level of neonatal care in the region and ensure that high-risk mothers and babies remain together in the same medical center.
2. Specialized gynecological care: Cleveland Clinic Martin North Hospital will focus on expanding gynecological services, including urogynecology and advanced pelvic surgery. By reallocating resources, Martin North Hospital will be able to offer a broader range of medical services for women in our community.
3. Accessible emergency services: Both hospitals are equipped to provide emergency maternity services and coordinate patient transfers based on risk level, ensuring effective support for all emergency deliveries.
4. Supporting a growing population: By concentrating obstetric services at Cleveland Clinic Tradition Hospital, the needs of Port St. Lucie’s growing young population will be met. Meanwhile, Cleveland Clinic Martin North can offer medical-surgical services to a community that requires them.
Community Benefits
Improved patient outcomes: A key point is that Cleveland Clinic Tradition Hospital will be better equipped to help mothers avoid a second cesarean. This is known as vaginal birth after cesarean (VBAC). These specialized services will be concentrated at Tradition Hospital to support mothers at high risk of complications, including those with a prior cesarean, with the expertise of maternal-fetal medicine specialists.
A Level 3 Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (Level 3 NICU)—an upgrade from the previous Level 2—at Cleveland Clinic Tradition Hospital means better care for the smallest newborns. It also means that mother and infant can stay in the same medical center, as the highest level of neonatal care will be offered there.
Emergency centers at both hospitals are equipped for maternal-fetal emergency care. Mothers from Martin or St. Lucie counties can access these services.
At Cleveland Clinic Martin North, in addition to a focus on women’s medical care, the number of primary care providers will continue to increase.
Cleveland Clinic remains dedicated to offering services that meet the community’s needs. The goal is to develop high-quality, innovative medical services for the future.
