In South Carolina, 41 of the state’s 46 counties are designated professional shortage areas, and Medicaid covers approximately 60% of births. In the face of a national shortage of maternal-fetal medicine (MFM) physicians, one Lowcountry hospital faced persistent challenges in recruiting and retaining specialists.
Through an existing relationship with Ob Hospitalist Group (OBHG), the hospital—which manages 2,500 annual deliveries—partnered with Obtelecare and Teladoc Health to launch a telehealth-enabled MFM program, standing up round-the-clock coverage in under 65 days. The program runs on Teladoc Health’s Solo enterprise virtual care platform and connected devices, standardizing MFM workflows and enabling secure, high-quality virtual consults across labor and delivery and inpatient units. The partnership includes direct telephonic and virtual consultation support for OB/GYNs and hospitalists, real-time ultrasound review with evidence-based care recommendations, remote monitoring and case collaboration, EMR integration for documentation, and daily rounding for the hospital’s residency program, including didactic training.
Since launch, the program has contributed to real-time support for hospital-based clinicians, improved prenatal detection of complex fetal conditions, stronger coordination of perinatal resources, earlier identification and management of preterm delivery risk, and expanded access to pre-pregnancy genetic evaluation and counseling.
“Comprehensive women’s services simply aren’t possible without MFM expertise. Obtelecare has frankly exceeded expectations, making an immediate impact on inpatient care while seamlessly integrating with our teaching mission,” said the hospital’s Chief Executive Officer.
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