To the Editor:

An obstetrical emergency can turn deadly in minutes! Without proper equipment and trained personnel, a mother or infant can die!

Spokespersons for The Cleveland Clinic say the ER will have “trained caregivers” to handle emergencies. This is not true. While they do their best, the ER staff is not adequately trained or equipped for anything but uncomplicated births, nor should we expect them to be. This is misleading and unfair to those who have to deal with whatever comes through the door.

Closure of Medina Hospital’s Family Birthing Center and the loss of its staff – trained to handle these situations every day – means it is only a matter of time before lack of access leads to a calamity. The nearest facility is 30-60 minutes via ground transport. When delivery is imminent, even air transport is not enough.

Cleveland Clinic states that the closure will “provide a higher level of care” for Medina County residents. However, statistics show that only 4.5 percent of babies required transfer for a higher level of care. This actually removes a level of care for the other 95.5 percent!

What is strictly a business decision for the Cleveland Clinic ignores what is best for our community.

Nancy Wagner

RN, OGNP

Medina