Samaritan Hospital sees increased birth rate

Numbers indicate growth, need for physician recruitment

MOSES LAKE — There was a time, even just over a year ago, when delivering more than 100 babies a month at Samaritan Hospital would have been an unusual occurrence.

Now it is becoming the norm.

"We had never done over 100 deliveries until last year or so," said Scott Campbell, vice president of planning, development and marketing at Samaritan of the hospital's monthly delivery rate.

Numbers for the month of June report 115 births.

When asked what makes this latest surge in births at the hospital significant Campbell responds by pointing out the trend is not a random increase.

"I don't think this is a spike, I think it is sustained growth," he said, adding that the continuity of the increase is what is most noticeable.

In another story just last week the Herald reported population numbers for the county topped 80,000 for the first time this year, with Moses Lake seeing an increase of 500 people.

Campbell said in the last six months the hospital has been discussing whether to increase its bed license capacity from the current 50.

The last time the hospital developed a master plan for its facilities was back in 2002 when a major expansion was completed.

Finding more space to expand hospital services for future demand and physician recruitment are two key factors that will play into meeting growth needs.

Campbell estimates the hospital will look more intensely on a new master plan next year.

A land swap between the hospital and the Moses Lake Watermaster Office of the East-Columbia Irrigation District is also being discussed to alleviate space needs.

Recruitment, Campbell said, drives hospital growth more than any other factor.

Samaritan is also the only hospital in Grant County that offers obstetrician-gynecologist services.

The Moses Lake Clinic has several physician and OB/GYN positions it is recruiting for, as well as for an orthopedic surgeon and ophthalmologist.

"It's very obvious to me that it's growing," said Susan Scott, nursing director at Samaritan Hospital of Moses Lake.

Scott came from a health care facility in Glenwood Springs, Colo., and has only been in her position a month.

One of her main goals is to further stimulate support for breast feeding in the area.

"I think we try to stay in tune with the community to see what their needs are," she said.