OB Hospitalist Program

The OB Hospitalist program at Sierra Vista provides an added layer of safety for women who give birth at the hospital. An experienced board-certified obstetric hospitalist is onsite and immediately available at all times, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, every day of the year. These physicians specialize solely in caring for patient who are hospitalized, rather than those in a clinical office or private practice setting. OB Hospitalists focus exclusively on providing care for women who are in their second or third pregnancy trimester that need immediate medical attention or in active labor.

Local physician Bruce Monroy, MD, leads the OB Hospitalist Group™, which includes Danny Lickness, MD, a longtime San Luis Obispo OB/GYN, along with several other physicians. Their team evaluates women with emergent obstetric and gynecological medical issues and consults with the patient’s primary OB/GYN until that physician arrives at the hospital. The hospitalists are located full-time in the Sierra Vista Birth Center and often see patients initially in the newly remodeled obstetric assessment area located within the Sierra Vista Birth Center.

This program does not take the patient from her own OB/GYN. Rather, it ensures that every patient, regardless of time of day or physician association, is seen by an OB/GYN right away if she needs urgent care. Because OB hospitalists are always onsite, they can provide immediate management of acute conditions until the patient’s own OB arrives. They are also fully capable of performing emergency surgery as needed.

Having these physicians immediately available on the unit enhances patient safety and improves the coordination and efficiency of care. It also provides piece of mind for patients since a doctor is available, at a moment’s notice, to step in to provide care as they need it.

Sometimes an obstetrician may be involved in another birth at the hospital or unable to make it to the patient in time for delivery. Having an OB hospitalist program at Sierra Vista means pregnant women, nursing staff and other support persons and caregivers can be confident an experienced obstetrician will be present for both routine and unanticipated events, even when the patient’s own physician isn’t immediately available. OB hospitalists are also available to deliver babies for patients who may not have an obstetrician.

How Does an OB Hospitalist Benefit Moms-to-Be

OB Physician Availability

Board-certified, OB hospitalists are immediately available on-site 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

In the event that your physician is not available, OB hospitalists can examine you, evaluate the progress of your labor, review test results and fetal heart rate tracings. They will address any evolving issues and provide you and your baby with a safe delivery.

Being hospital-based, the OB hospitalists will always be on-site to visit you, monitor progress or discuss your questions/concerns or those of your family.

Due to their primary focus of hospital-based treatment, hospitalists are experts at providing emergent care and are on-site if an emergency occurs.

Our hospitalists will be in communication with your physician, midwife and other care providers and will have access to your prior medical records.

Highly Skilled

If your physician is unavailable or delayed reaching the hospital, a hospitalist can provide medical expertise and optimal patient care, as well as answer any questions you or your family may have.

Our hospitalists are highly skilled in a variety of different delivery techniques.

In addition to being board-certified, our hospitalists are required to maintain high levels of clinical performance and professional standards.

Peace of Mind

The OB hospitalist program is a key component in elevating patient safety and enhancing the quality, coordination and efficiency of care for women, newborns and their families. Your physician will make sure the OB hospitalist on-site has your complete medical records. The OB hospitalist caring for you in your doctor’s absence will deliver a complete treatment report to your doctor so your continued treatment is thorough and consistent. Sierra Vista is committed to providing excellent patient care and delivering the best outcome possible with every patient encounter.