By Wayne E. Rivet

Staff Writer

As Dee Miller fought a battle against cancer, she fully appreciated the importance of the treatment and care she received at her localhospital.

“Bridgton Hospital was an important part of my diagnosis and recovery,” she told the Bridgton Select Board two weeks ago.

Miller expressed concerns regarding Bridgton Hospital’s decision to drop obstetric services, and what it means to a community that is showing growth and a desire to draw young families.

“Consequences go beyond a hospital’s balance sheet. Bridgton is trying to present an active, sustainable town for both old and young,” Miller added. “Every trip to Bridgton for their care, patients stop at a grocery store, get a bite to eat, go to Renys. If these stops end, it will have a significant impact (on the town). Fewer people on the street will have a cooling effect on businesses coming to town. Bridgton has traditionally been a service center.”

Bridgton Hospital President Peter Wright was front and center Tuesday night before the Bridgton Select Board to address why the OB decision was made and where the hospital is headed.

“We look at our programs on an ongoing basis,” Wright said.

Since 2018, BH has seen a “sharp and steady” decline in terms of babies born here. While other services rebounded following the loss of several doctors who left the Central Maine Health Care system, obstetrics did not.

A consultant, Kaufman Hall, was hired to examine the OB piece.

“We wanted to make sure we didn’t have tunnel vision,” Wright said.

Theriskfactor tilted the scales to eliminate OB services. To keep a staff’s skills “sharp and competent,” guidelines point to averaging upward of 125-150 births a year, or a low of 80. Since Bridgton Hospital dipped to 50 or fewer.

“At Bridgton Hospital, our responsibility is to mitigate risk — that the service we provide you can rest assured the skill will be there,” he said. “Delivering just 50 babies a year, we couldn’t make that promise. What is the risk? We can’t stay competent, we can’t do enough.”

Wright said the decision was not driven by finances, noting Bridgton Hospital is coming off two strong financial years.

Another consideration was if BH dropped obstetrics, who could serve future parents?

“The last thing we wanted was what happened in Machias. They now drive up to two hours to Bangor to deliver a baby,” Wright said. 

To reduce risks, the recommendation is for travel to a facility be an hour or less. Based on that range, parents have six other hospitals to choose from for OB care. Admittedly, Wright said many people already were choosing other hospitals, noting Maine Medical had garnered 40% of the market share.

One mistaken element from the OB decision was Bridgton Hospital was longer offering gynecology. Untrue. Wright noted that while BH closed one program, it was “reinvesting” in five others, such as GYN, cardiology and urology. Wright also pointed out that BH has reached an agreement with neighboring Stephens Memorial to lease space on its campus for SMH pre-natal clinic services.

He added that “internal resources” from the OB department have been moved to the Emergency Department, as well as staff being trained in neo-natal resuscitation.

“We are prepared if anything goes bad, we’re able to deliver a baby in the Emergency Department,” Wright said.

Select Board chairwoman Carmen Lone brought to Wright’s attention the problem many people have accessing services due to transportation problems. 

Select Board member Bear Zaidman questioned whether Bridgton Hospital gave enough time to rebuild the OB program, especially after the mass staff departures in 2018.

“To decide over four years to abandon something we had for years isn’t a very smart move,” said Zaidman. He also wondered whether BH was keeping its promise to all those who donated to build the new facility (whose names are on bronze plaques hanging on the hospital walls) to provide “basic services.”

Wright is very familiar with 2018. That was the year he was hired as Bridgton Hospital president and given the task to “fix” the local hospital. He pointed out it is very difficult to find OB/GYN doctors — noting only 4 to 6% of those coming out of residency want to work in a rural setting. Wright has been searching two years for OB/GYN staff.

“I don’t have the luxury to continue to wait and a market to develop when a risk exists,” he said. “My chief concern is risk. It manifests if we don’t do our job well. My responsibility is to provide care in this community that is safe.”

Zaidman asked why BH couldn’t utilize Central Maine Medical obstetric staff? 

“OB requires someone on call 24/7,” he said.

Select Board member Paul Tworog asked if Bridgton Hospital’s intent is to remain a full-service hospital or as some in the community have said become a triage model — you go to Bridgton Hospital in an emergency, be stabilized there and then shipped to Central Maine Med in Lewiston.

Wright noted BH has consistently been rated a top rural hospital when it comes to “quality outcomes” and “patient satisfaction.” The goal is to provide a wide range of services, while continuing to investment in equipment.

When a comment was made whether BH had lost “its soul,” Wright took offense to the notion. He emphasized the staff puts its “blood, sweat and tears” into their work 24/7.

Tworog asked how does hospital management review feedback from the public. “There is a high level of frustration,” he said.

“We work hard every day to create value for patients and our staff. Our community health committee looks at what services the community needs. The most important thing they can do is being the hospital’s eyes and ears when it comes to the community. If we’re not hearing something, we can’t respond; we can’t be in every corner of the community,” Wright said.

One big concern Wright has is the November deadline for healthcare workers to be vaccinated for Covid-19. At this time, 14 people could lose their jobs at BH if they decline to be vaccinated by Nov. 1.

“I can’t afford to lose one person, not to mention 14,” he said.