On July 1, Duke University Hospital (DUH) will open its new Obstetric Emergency Department (OB ED) on the 5th floor of Duke University Hospital. Staffed by a team of obstetric specialists, the OB ED will be open 24/7 and offer safe, timely, specialized care for obstetric emergencies.
By transforming what was once the OB triage space into the OB ED, “We’re ensuring that anyone who arrives in a moment of urgency receives immediate access to specialized evaluation and treatment from a team trained for the most complex obstetric situations,” according to Kim Wood, DNP, RN, NE-BC, assistant vice president of nursing, Women’s and Newborn Service Line, Duke University Health System. “I’m incredibly proud of our Birthing Center team and OB providers — their skill, compassion, and constant readiness make this level of care possible. My hope is that this dedicated OB Emergency Department reinforces our commitment to the community and offers families the confidence that, day or night, they will receive patient‑centered care at the highest standard.”
What to Know Before Go-Live
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Criteria for Care in the OB ED:
- Patients seeking care at the OB ED should be 20 weeks pregnant or more or be up to six weeks postpartum and experiencing an obstetric emergency.
- If a patient who is at least 20 weeks pregnant or up to six weeks postpartum is experiencing a medical emergency that is unrelated to pregnancy — trauma or serious injury, chest pain or suspected heart problems, stroke symptoms, or severe breathing problems — they should go to the main ED.
- Patients who are 19 weeks pregnant or less or greater than 6 weeks postpartum should visit the main ED for an emergency requiring immediate attention.
- Patients who meet treatment criteria and plan to deliver at a location other than DUH can still receive care at the DUH OB ED. Being a DUH patient is not required.
- Patients are encouraged to coordinate with their primary OB provider before going to the DUH OB ED.
- An obstetric emergency may include:
- Abdominal pain
- Contractions, labor symptoms or pre-labor concerns
- Decrease in normal fetal movement
- High blood pressure symptoms, such as severe headache, vision changes, or swelling
- Leaking fluid or ruptured membranes
- Vaginal bleeding
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Accessing the OB ED:
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To access the OB ED, patients will use DUH's main entrance and take the elevator to the 5th floor of Duke University Hospital, Unit 5400.
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If you encounter a patient requiring these services at DUH, please direct them or walk with them to the fifth floor, based on their needs. Wayfinding signage is in place as a guide.
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Billing:
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OB Emergency Department visits are billed as Emergency Department services, and emergency department co-pays, deductibles or coinsurance may apply, depending on the insurance plan.
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“DUH’s investment in the Obstetric Emergency Department is an investment in the future of women’s health. It demonstrates our belief that specialized, immediate access to obstetric care is not optional — it’s essential. We are proud of the expertise, innovation and dedication that our teams bring to this work. The collaboration between ambulatory services and the OB ED will be the engine of this program’s success, ensuring that patients move seamlessly between outpatient and emergency care with the highest standards of safety and quality. This is the kind of integrated approach that sets Duke Health apart.”
— Krista Wilson, MHA, RN-BC, CPPS, ambulatory operations director