Issue link: http://digital.canadawide.com/i/128836
Dr. Stephanie Rhone (right) and her team in the Early Pregnancy Assessment Clinic ensure women receive the care they need quickly – often on the same day. on General Hospital. "We regularly refer women there, and we know they'll get the care that a fast-paced ER can't give them." Ruth Comfort, a midwife at BC Women's, has also referred women to the Clinic: "I know my clients will get all the answers and attention they need from an incredibly caring team of professionals." Today, after five years in operation, the clinic is operating at capacity. Open Monday to Friday, from 8 am to 4 pm, it averages between 30 and 40 patients a week. Rhone's vision now is to expand the clinic's hours. "Ideally, we should be providing care seven days a week, into the evening hours," she says. "In the UK, these clinics operate like mini emergency departments." Meanwhile, in keeping with BC Women's leadership role in developing women's health programs that can be replicated elsewhere, Rhone is currently sharing the EPAC model with other hospitals. Ultimately, she'd like to see clinics like this become the standard of care throughout BC, meeting the needs and greatly reducing the stress of early pregnancy for women everywhere. SPRING 2013 WOMEN'S 7 BCW-Spring 2013.indd 7 13-04-30 11:51 AM