To the editor:
A response to the Guest Perspective (News and Citizen; 6/5/2025), by Joseph Woodin. His request for “patience and civility” in the title, is followed up with a statement later: “. . . a planned protest raised safety concerns . . .”. Previously, peaceful demonstrations of support for the Birthing Center have been held, without anyone getting harmed. (unless perhaps a paper cut from a sign?). For Copley to suggest that another demonstration might be different is very sad. Maybe their real fear was that the fundraiser attendees might ask for more transparency, instead of the murkiness around the actual annual dollar loss the Birthing Center has. The Birthing Center loses “$3-$5 million a year.” According to the hospitals 2022 990 form the top three administrators earned over $1.1 million dollars combined. It seems like one of these three people should be able to provide the community with a figure to within $200,000 dollars.
The Birthing Center at Copley, like all birthing units in Vermont, participates in data collection and receives an in-depth report and review of their statistics from the Vermont Child Health Improvement Program. Years of data show that the Birthing Center provides high quality care. One part of the great quality that can get overlooked at Copley, is the appropriate and timely referral of patients who develop complications requiring them (or their care) to be transferred to a facility with maternal or neonatal specialist availability. This lowers the birth volume at Copley but also improves overall Maternal and Neonatal outcomes.
Collaborative nursing and provider education, simulation drills, standardized terminology and case reviews all assist in maintaining and enhancing skills. What exactly are the quality concerns that continuing these existing Birthing Center practices won’t address? The staff in the Birthing Center has adapted its’ skillset to enhance their ability to care for a variety of patients. When the unit census allows, appropriate OB/GYN and Medical-Surgical patients are admitted into the Birthing Center. The Medical-Surgical patients include a variety of Orthopedic patients, which receive the same excellent care as is provided on the Acute Care Nursing Unit. The Birthing Center staff also float to other nursing areas if the unit census allows for it and there is a need for it. These practices bring in revenue and shift costs out of the Birthing Center, enhancing its bottom line.
Annette M. Jones, MSN
Craftsbury
