Hospitals merge neonatal expertise

DAYTON, Ohio (WDTN) - Dayton Children's and Miami Valley Hospital announced a joint venture Friday.

A new company called Southwest Ohio Neo-natal Collaborative will begin operating in July.

Doctors say the new team will improve care for high risk mothers and critically ill premature babies.

The hope is to elevate and strengthen the quality of care for mothers and babies by drawing on the expertise of the two regional high-risk centers.

Both hospitals will continue to operate their respective neo-natal intensive care units.

"If it's determined that the baby needs additional care, they'll be transferred directly to Dayton Children's," said Deborah Feldman, CEO and President of Dayton Children's.

According to hospital officials, more than 80-percent of critically-ill newborns in this region are cared for by these two organizations.

85-percent of the complex neonatal care in the region is delivered at Dayton Children's.