Private rooms are back for childbirth patients

Maui Health Systems officially rolls back increase from July

Beginning today, Maui Memorial Medical Center will no longer charge extra fees for private postpartum rooms at the hospital, the Kaiser Permanente affiliate Maui Health System announced Monday afternoon.

All patients will be given a private room after giving birth, if one is available when admitted, a news release said.

The issue about the costs of private postpartum rooms came up at a community meeting in July, shortly after Maui Health System assumed operation of the hospital. A doula and childbirth educator said that the cost of private rooms for women who had given birth had risen from $150 to $700 per night.

Maui Health System confirmed that the rate had been $152 for a private room since 2009. After taking over operations July 1, Maui Health System imposed a rate of $672.

Maui Health System Director of Communications Chastell Ely had said at the time that when a patient requests a private room that space is not available for another patient. "It is our obligation to ensure that the private room rate actually covers the costs associated with using a double room as a single, private room," she said.

Hospital officials said they also would look into the matter and would put the rate increase on hold for six months. This would give families time to budget for a private room.

Maui Health System said Monday that it continued a prior practice of charging families requesting a private postpartum room more, but it also is "committed to responding to the needs and feedback of the community" and patients.

"With this change, more families will be able to celebrate the birth of their little ones in a private postpartum setting," said Dr. Michael Kim, medical director of Women's and Children's Health Services at the hospital.

Since July 1, more than 400 babies have been born at Maui Memorial Medical Center. The average stay in the hospital is about 40 hours, a news release said.

Based on the hospital's assessment over the past three months, the majority of new moms will be able to get a private room during their stay.

"We will make every effort to provide families private opportunities to bond with their new baby," said Dr. Martin Newman, obstetrics and gynecology medical staff department chairman. "There is an intense attachment that occurs between parents and their baby in the hours following the birth."

Preferred visiting hours in the obstetrics and gynecology department are 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. for general visitors, but Maui Memorial Medical Center now allows open visitation anytime for one adult support individual of the patient's choice, unless this poses a risk to patient safety.

"We've had an opportunity to review our visitation policy, and we know that for many new moms, it's important to them to have overnight postpartum support from a family member or friend," said Dr. David Ulin, chief medical director of Maui Health System. "We're delighted to be able to help our patients feel more comfortable during their stay, but we also ask that families be respectful of others during these quiet hours, as sleep is critical to new moms in recovery, as well as their infants."

Maui Memorial Medical Center is working on other projects to improve the patient experience for moms, babies and visitors, including looking at room refurbishments and adding a lounge area for partners to rest, a news release said.

* Melissa Tanji can be reached at mtanji@mauinews.com.