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Franklin County couple wants changes at hospital

By Josh Ault  bio|e-mail

RUSSELLVILLE, AL (WAFF)  A young couple in Russellville is upset over how they were treated at the hospital.  They say they were ignored when they went in to have a baby.

Russellville Hospital is the only facility that delivers babies in Franklin County.  When Michael Martin's girlfriend went into labor on May 4th, that is where they headed.

"I left her in the truck," said Martin, "I went to ask for a wheelchair . . . They just sat there and looked at me."

"Shocked," said Ashley Best, Martin's girlfriend, "I couldn't believe it.  They were treating me like I had a cold, and I was having a baby."

Martin says they waited for more than 30 minutes for help.  When they could not get help at the ER, they went to a nearby doctor's office.

Dr. Santiago, who has a practice next to the hospital, was able to get them right into a delivery room.  Zoey martin was born in the early morning hours of May 5th.

"I want to make sure it never happens to anyone else again," said Martin, "I would like a law passed to protect pregnant women whose water has broken or in pain to be immediately placed on a bed."

Hospital Administrators would not comment on camera, but released this statement:

"Our goal at Russellville Hospital is to provide the highest quality care to all patients.  Access to quality OB care is important to families in our community, and we do all we can to ensure that mothers and babies are well cared for.

We protect the privacy of all of our patients, so we cannot discuss the specifics of any patient treated at our hospital.  We have processes in place to ensure timely, appropriate care for pregnant mothers who come to our Emergency Room.   All appropriate steps were taken to ensure quality care in this situation."

Belinda Johnson, Russellville Hospital

Martin says he is looking into filing a lawsuit against the hospital.  He says he is not looking for money, but the best care for expecting moms in Franklin County.

After Zoey was born, she was sent to Huntsville and spent a week in the neonatal intensive care unit.  She was released 2 days ago, and is doing well.

The Martins are just glad baby Zoey is happy and healthy.

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