The Army is growing at Fort Lewis.

Over the past year, the number of births at the Madigan Army Medical Center (MAMC) has increased.

“Intentionally and unintentionally we are growing the Army,” said Col. (Dr.) Peter Nielsen, chief, obstetrics and gynecology (OB/GYN), with a big smile.

The birth rate at MAMC currently ranges from 180 to 220 per month.  Looked at another way, that is six to almost eight births per day.

“The rate is still rising, and we could see a bit over 240 births per months,” continued Nielsen.

The reason for the increase is attributable to the increasing number of soldiers at Fort Lewis. 

Moreover, pregnancies tend to increase just before or after deployments.

Either way, the increase in birth is a phenomenon that the OB/GYN department was well prepared to meet.

Not only has MAMC increased the number of qualified mid wives to provide coverage to those individuals seeking such care, it also has added more doctors and nurses for those expectant mothers seeking the more traditional means of delivery.

It is an effort that has resulted in meeting the challenge of increased births while providing the right mix of medical providers and staffing.

While increasing the number of OB/GYN providers, Nielsen and his staff have worked to ensure there a seamless transition between the OB and GYN processes.

“There is a keen emphasis on obstetrics and the care involved,” explained Nielsen.

“We’ve worked hard to make sure that there is the same kind of care in the gynecological phase as well.”

The reason for the success the OB/GYN department enjoys is largely premised on teamwork.

“We have superb teamwork here,” said Nielsen. 

The good doctor’s claim is premised on an ambitious program known as TeamSTEPPS (Team Strategies and Tools to Enhance Performance and Patient Safety).

The program traces its roots back to a pilot study initially done at MAMC.  Its focus was and remains focused on improving patient care.

“The culture here has been improving on teamwork for over the past six years,” explained Nielsen.

He went on to say that in improving the sense of teamwork and the quality of care – variables Nielsen wants to remain in MAMC’s culture - there is less stress among providers.

“The quality of people here across the departments here is unbelievable superb,” said Nielsen.

And that is a concept that is also growing at Fort Lewis as its population increases.