While OB/GYN practices provide exceptional care, caring for high-risk pregnancies can present unique challenges. Managing complex cases like gestational diabetes, preeclampsia, or fetal abnormalities without immediate access to maternal-fetal medicine specialists can mean referring patients away from their local provider, with the accompanying logistical burdens for patients and their families in travel time.
Expanding Local Maternity Care Providers’ Capabilities with TeleMaternal-Fetal Medicine
Access TeleCare’s teleMaternal-fetal medicine service is designed as a seamless extension of outpatient OB/GYN practices. We bring board-certified MFM specialists directly to each practice and their patients, virtually. This means convenient access to expert support for high-risk consultations, genetic counseling, and specialized ultrasound interpretation – all without the need for patient travel or referrals out of the local system.
The goal is to provide comprehensive, integrated care, keeping patients close to home and trusting in their local practice.
“Our mission is to empower local OB/GYN practices to manage higher-acuity pregnancies with confidence,” said Blake Porter, M.D., chief of maternal-fetal medicine at Access TeleCare. “We’re not here to replace their invaluable care, but to augment it, ensuring every patient benefits from specialized expertise without unnecessary disruption.”
Keep Your Patients Close, Ensure Better Outcomes
One of the most significant benefits for outpatient practices is the ability to retain and manage more high-risk pregnancies locally. Our teleMFM outpatient programs successfully keep more than 90 percent of expectant families in their local communities for delivery. This not only reduces the immense burden of travel for patients but also strengthens each practice’s role as a comprehensive care hub.
“We have clients around the country that dedicate either half day or full day to maternal-fetal medicine clinics. That allows us to substantially increase the amount of prenatal care and high-risk pregnancy care that a patient can get by keeping their care local,” added Porter.
Consider the case of a rural Texas OB/GYN practice that, in partnership with Access TeleCare, successfully managed a quadruplet pregnancy from initial prenatal care all the way through to delivery. This highly complex case, which would typically necessitate frequent travel to a distant MFM specialist for weekly or even bi-weekly appointments, was instead managed locally, ensuring continuous, expert oversight and peace of mind for the family.
Partnering with Access TeleCare is about collaboration, not competition. We integrate smoothly with existing workflows, providing intuitive technology and efficient communication channels that facilitate real-time discussion and co-management. Our goal is to empower existing teams, enhance professional competencies, and allow for the expansion of a practice’s scope, ensuring patients receive timely, exceptional maternal-fetal care.
“Ultimately, it’s about ensuring every pregnant individual has access to the highest standard of care, regardless of geography,” concludes Dr. Porter. “By partnering with outpatient OB/GYN practices, we make that a reality, strengthening local communities and improving lives.”
Discover how teleMaternal-fetal medicine can extend local maternity care providers’ reach and improve patient outcomes.
