Arkansas hospitals introduce Special Delivery program

New initiative aimed at improving postpartum care, reducing maternal mortality

BENTON, Ark. (July 17, 2025) – Saline Health System and National Park Medical Center, both part of Lifepoint Health, recently launched the Special Delivery Program, a new initiative aimed at improving postpartum care and reducing maternal mortality. It is modeled after a similar program launched by the hospitals’ sister facility Saint Mary’s Regional Health System in Russellville in 2023.

As part of the Special Delivery Program, the hospital provides all postpartum patients with wristbands to wear for six weeks after delivery to help ensure these patients receive timely and appropriate care for any potential complications. Each patient also receives a medical alert wallet card and special cell phone lock screen graphic before leaving the hospital. These tools help healthcare providers identify postpartum patients quickly, reducing the risk of misdiagnosis.

“The Special Delivery Program reflects our commitment to advancing maternal health by prioritizing early intervention and raising awareness about the risks associated with the postpartum period,” said Payton Mills, director of the labor and delivery team at Saline Health System. “The wristbands act as a visible reminder for patients, families and healthcare providers to remain vigilant about postpartum health during this critical time.

Many postpartum complications, such as anemia, hypertension, heart conditions, and infections, occur days or weeks after delivery, and 53% of pregnancy-related deaths happen between 7 and 365 days postpartum. The Special Delivery Program seeks to change this by empowering postpartum patients to advocate for their health and ensuring providers are aware of recent deliveries when diagnosing and treating these patients.

“What seems to be such a simple thing can actually make a huge impact on maternal health outcomes in Arkansas, which has one of the highest maternal morbidity rates in the nation,” said Ashley York, director of maternal child services at National Park Medical Center. “Signs and symptoms that can be life-threatening warning signs to a postpartum patient  may not be ominous for someone that hasn't recently been pregnant. These bracelets can alert health care providers or even prompt the patient to alert the providers so that they may view the symptoms through a postpartum lens.”

In addition to wearing the wristband, family members, friends, and community members are encouraged to "check in" on patients that recently delivered during this critical postpartum period.

The Special Delivery Program is not intended to replace postpartum provider visits, but to serve as an additional tool to support patients as part of their overall postpartum care plan. Attending scheduled postpartum appointments remains essential for recovery and for addressing any concerns directly with a healthcare provider.

“Often times, and even for myself before doing this research, the assumption is that once delivery has happened, the complications related to pregnancy are no longer a risk,” said Morgan Keeling, director of the labor and delivery team at Saint Mary’s Regional Health System. “That is not the case. A pregnancy-related complication can happen from the time of conception all the way through the first year after delivery. The signs and symptoms of these complications may resemble other medical diagnoses but require different treatment. Having the bracelets for our patients is an alert to other healthcare professionals and a reminder to the patient so that she may be treated appropriately.”

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 About National Park Medical Center

National Park Medical Center is a 163-bed full-service acute care hospital located in Hot Springs, Arkansas.  Our mission is simple making communities healthier.  We are a part of the Lifepoint Health family of hospitals, which means we aim to create a place where people choose to come for healthcare, physicians want to practice, and employees want to work.  Our core values are honesty, integrity & trustworthiness, inclusion, compassion and legal/ethical compliance.  Our hospital’s Joint Commission accreditation powerfully demonstrates our commitment to meeting the highest national standards for quality and safety.

About Saint Mary’s Regional Health System

A part of Lifepoint Health, Saint Mary’s Regional Health System is a 170-bed acute care hospital with more than 100 active physicians and mid-level providers representing 18 specialties on the medical staff. As we celebrate 100 years of dedicated service to the River Valley region in 2025, we remain committed to providing exceptional care and advancing the health of our community.

Saint Mary’s offers a comprehensive range of healthcare services, including a Level III Trauma Center and chest pain-accredited Emergency Department, 3D mammography, Turning Point Behavioral Health Center, Cancer Center, labor and delivery services and inpatient rehabilitation. Accredited by the Joint Commission, Saint Mary’s is proud to uphold its mission of making communities healthier®, as we continue a century-long legacy of compassionate and quality care.

About Saline Memorial Hospital

Saline Health System, a part of Lifepoint Health, is made up of Saline Memorial Hospital, a 177-bed acute care facility, and Saline Clinics, a network of primary care and specialty clinics. The hospital is accredited through The Joint Commission for meeting quality and safety standards, the American College of Cardiology as a Chest Pain Center with Primary PCI, the MBSAQIP as a bariatric surgery center, Optum in the Bariatric Centers of Excellence network, CARF as a rehabilitation center and the AASM as a sleep center. Saline Memorial Hospital is also proud to be recognized as a Leapfrog Grade “A” Hospital for its commitment to patient safety and quality care. More information about Saline Memorial Hospital is available by calling 501.776.6000 or visiting SalineMemorial.org. More information about LifePoint Health, is available by visiting LifePointHealth.net.