OB Hospitalist Program at Washington Township Medical Foundation Marks
15 Years of Saving Moms and Babies
Pioneering service provides 24/7 support for obstetric emergencies at Washington Hospital
September 11, 2019
“To ensure maternal and fetal safety, it’s a program that truly
makes a difference.”
Albert Brooks, MD, is discussing the Obstetrician Hospitalist Program of
Washington Township Medical Foundation, which provides 24/7 coverage at
Washington Hospital Healthcare System. “Having an OB in-house for obstetric emergencies can save the life
of both mom and baby,” said Dr. Brooks, President of Washington
Township Medical Group.

Albert Brooks, MD
Each of the program’s seven OB hospitalists is board certified. They
provide immediate benefit to moms in labor and any critical situation
they face, along with great value to private practice obstetricians. “An
expectant mom’s doctor may be traveling to the hospital when mom’s
in crisis,” Dr. Brooks said. “The OB hospitalist on duty steps
in and coordinates care until that doctor arrives. It’s really a
partnership.”
The care takes many shapes. “We’re experts at managing high-risk
situations,” said
Lawrence Tiglao, MD, who is Medical Director of the program. “Preeclampsia, or high
blood pressure during pregnancy, is very dangerous and probably the most
common complication,” Dr. Tiglao explained. “We also respond
to emergencies such as postpartum hemorrhage, and we can lead or assist
with a cesarean section. It’s really a full-spectrum service.”

Lawrence Tiglao, MD
The cases are many and varied. Recently, a patient was in distress due
to preterm labor and vaginal bleeding. “From the moment of arrival,
she and her baby were in big trouble, so we had to do an emergency delivery,”
Dr. Tiglao said. “Our OB hospitalist, the Emergency Department and
Washington Hospital’s Birthing Center were with mom and baby every
step of the way.”
In another recent case, an expectant mom from Washington state was visiting
the area and had an emergency when her water broke. “We were able
to safely induce delivery at 34 weeks,” said Dr. Tiglao. The OB
hospitalists also consult with all the hospital units, not just the Birthing
Center and Emergency Department, in case any type of patient develops
an obstetric issue.
Dr. Brooks has the perspective of more than 40 years’ experience
as an obstetrician, during which time he had become one of America’s
most-respected leaders in obstetric care. Along with Washington Hospital’s
executive administration, he helped establish the program in 2004, and
directed the program for many years.
“In the early 2000s,” recalled Dr. Brooks, “the industry
started recognizing the problem of private practice physicians not always
being available for emergent cases. Sometimes, even nurses would have
to deliver the baby.”
Today, the OB hospitalist model is widely accepted. When the program was
launched at Washington Hospital 15 years ago, fewer than 2 percent of
U.S. hospitals had OB hospitalists. Today, that number is close to 85 percent.
“Over the last 15 years, this program has become a critical resource
for the community,” said Dr. Brooks, who highlighted the team’s
cultural sensitivity and its importance to low-income families with limited
prenatal care. “We were early adopters of what is now considered
a best practice throughout the nation, and our entire organization is
proud to have saved so many lives.”
Discover more about the comprehensive pregnancy and newborn services of
our Washington Hospital Birthing Center
here.