Hardin Memorial Hospital will soon be able to care for more babies born premature and with other health problems.
The hospital in Elizabethtown is expanding its Neonatal Intensive Care Unit and adding two physicians from Louisville who will practice full-time at HMH.
HMH's Chief Nursing Officer Sharon Wright told WKU Public Radio that having neonatologists around the clock will be a huge asset.
"We see many babies born to mothers who are abusing alcohol or medication," explained Wright. "Those babies who are going through withdrawal can now stay in our community and stay here for their treatment instead of being transferred to Louisville, so it's not just for premature babies."
Wright knows firsthand the struggles of local parents whose babies must be transferred elsewhere for treatment. Twenty years ago, she gave birth to twins only 25 weeks into her pregnancy. The newborns were put on life support and transferred to Kosair Children's Hospital in Louisville. She said having them away from home made the ordeal that much more difficult.
The expansion at Hardin Memorial Hospital should be complete in September.
