St. Mary’s Hospital to Partner with Children’s National Medical Center

Leonardtown, MD – St. Mary’s Hospital announces an expanded range of services with Children’s National Medical Center (Children’s National) in Washington, D.C., on several new pediatric programs that make quality pediatric care available close to home for the convenience of patients and their families. 

In July, St. Mary’s Hospital and Children’s National together began offering pediatric electroencephalograms (EEGs) and sleep studies at St. Mary’s Hospital. This offering expands on the previous joint service, which made pediatric echocardiograms available. Additionally, in 2010, pulmonary function testing (PFT) for pediatric patients will be added to the diagnostic services available.

“We’re bringing high-quality care to families in our community through this innovative partnership that integrates advanced telemedicine technologies to increase the reach of one of the leading pediatric hospitals in the country,” said Kevin Oliver, director of Physiology Services at St. Mary’s Hospital.  “Patients and families in St. Mary’s County now have access to the expert pediatric care offered by Children’s specialists right in their own community.”

“We are pleased to work with St. Mary’s Hospital to extend the care we offer to families throughout the region,” said Peter R. Holbrook, M.D., chief medical officer, Children’s National Medical Center. “Given the sophisticated nature of the technologies now available for pediatric diagnostics and care — and the training of specialists required to offer this care — the trend is toward partnerships like these between solid community hospitals and pediatric specialty care facilities. We are pleased to work together to benefit the region’s children.”

Through Children’s National telemedicine program, a variety of tests and monitoring services are or will be available to pediatric patients and their families at St. Mary’s Hospital:

• Sleep studies 
• Pediatric echocardiograms to diagnose and/or monitor heart conditions
• Pulmonary function testing to diagnose and/or monitor lung conditions
• Electroencephalography (EEG) testing to diagnose and/or monitor neurological conditions including seizures or brain injuries

 

All tests will be conducted at St. Mary’s Hospital. Test results are sent electronically to specialists at Children’s National to interpret and then consult with the patient’s pediatrician in determining best options for care. This way, routine tests are made more accessible, and if a child requires a Children’s National specialist, access is facilitated through this partnership.

“St. Mary's Hospital has partnered with Children's National to add these new pediatric outpatient services in Leonardtown so parents can bring their children to their local hospital for tests. Until now, getting these tests meant spending whole days traveling to Washington and back,” said Joan Gelrud, vice president of St. Mary’s Hospital.  “Our staff is ready, our equipment is state-of-the-art and our Tradition of Caring is designed to make each child's experience a safe and easy one.”

To schedule a test ordered by the physician, please call 301-475-6399.