'Misinformation' cited as Doylestown Health denies maternity unit is closing
Doylestown Health has announced that its maternity center at Doylestown Hospital, where more than 1,400 babies are born each year, will continue with business as usual, as it put to rest to rest a rumor circulating on social media that the center would close.
The health system made the highly unusual announcement as it also stated it had suspended, at least temporarily, Dr. Scott Dinesen, a prominent obstetrician-gynecologist, from performing deliveries or surgical procedures at the hospital.
While Dinesen can't work in the hospital, other doctors and nurse practitioners associated with the Dinesen and Associates OB/GYN & Infertility practice located in The Pavilion at Doylestown Hospital, can work at the hospital and he can continue to see patients at the office building.
Doylestown Health, Dinesen practice both cite 'misinformation'
The health system announced last week: "On Aug. 4, Doylestown Hospital’s Medical Staff Leadership took the serious action of suspending the clinical privileges of Dr. Scott Dinesen. Doylestown Health is aware of recent misinformation spreading in our community about our maternity, labor and delivery services.
"The VIA Maternity Center is not closing. Doylestown Hospital provides the highest-quality services to women of all ages in our community. We are not closing any of these services."
Dinesen has been in practice since the 1990s. He and Doylestown Hospital have been listed as defendants in six civil suits for malpractice or professional liability filed in Bucks County Court since 2005, according to records with the county Prothonatary. He is now associated with Axia Women's Health, a multi-faceted women's health care company with practices in a variety of specialties. He is listed on LinkedIn as vice president of Medical Affairs-Expanded Care for Axia, which has 400 practitioners in 200 women's health centers in the Mid Atlantic and Midwest regions.
Axia provided its own statement about the issue: "We are aware of the misinformation circulating regarding Dr. Dinesen and his connection to Doylestown Hospital.
"Dr. Dinesen has been a pillar of the Doylestown community for over three decades, known for providing excellent, high-quality care to his patients. This is evidenced by the thousands of women who have trusted Dinesen & Associates with their care. We are deeply surprised and concerned by the comments made by Doylestown Hospital and have contacted them to express our concern."
The practice website provided answers to questions for patients about their upcoming care, including that a maternity patient scheduled to deliver at Doylestown can continue to do so using one of the practice's other medical professionals.
Besides Dinesen and Associates, Doylestown Health also lists one other obstetrical practice at the hospital. Both practices have four doctors and three other "Advanced Practice Professionals." Doylestown Hospital has a neo-natal level 2 intensive care unit.
The Doylestown Health System declined further comment other than what was posted on its website. Dinesen and his practice administration could not be reached for comment Monday afternoon.
This article originally appeared on Bucks County Courier Times: Doylestown Health is not closing maternity unit, but suspends OB-GYN