April 7, 2021
West Columbia, S.C. – Lexington Medical Center has become the first hospital in South Carolina to install two MamavaÒ lactation pods inside the hospital. The pods provide a private, comfortable, convenient space for mothers to breastfeed their babies or pump breast milk. The pods are for hospital employees and visitors.
The lactation pods have two benches, a fold-down table and power outlets inside. Patients, employees and visitors will find a pod conveniently located on the lower level of the North Tower atrium behind the escalators. The second pod is reserved for Lexington Medical Center employees and located in a private setting.
Nursing mothers can install the Mamava app on their smartphone to help locate a pod near them and also unlock the door to the pod. Inside, the app can also allow users to adjust lighting and turn on a fan. The app ensures pods are secured for intended users only.
“Lexington Medical Center is proud to support nursing mothers and their babies with the Mamava lactation pods, providing moms and babies with a comfortable setting for breastfeeding or pumping breast milk. It’s a welcome addition to support new moms as they balance a return to work and providing for their babies,” said Melissa Taylor, vice president for Patient Care Services at Lexington Medical Center.
Providing private, dignified accommodations for breastfeeding moms is important. There are thousands of similar lactation pods across the country everywhere from workplaces to airports and shopping malls.
Lexington Health is a comprehensive network of care that includes six community medical and urgent care centers, nearly 80 physician practices, more than 9,000 health care professionals and Lexington Medical Center, a 607-bed teaching hospital in West Columbia, South Carolina. The hospital was ranked best hospital in the Columbia Metro by U.S. News & World Report, was selected by Modern Healthcare as one of the Best Places to Work in Healthcare, and was the first hospital in the state to achieve Magnet with Distinction status for excellence in nursing care. Lexington Health Cancer Center is an accredited Cancer Center of Excellence. The network includes a cardiovascular program recognized by the American College of Cardiology as South Carolina's first HeartCARE Center. The network also has an occupational health center, the largest skilled nursing facility in the Carolinas, an Alzheimer's care center and nearly 80 physician practices. Lexington Medical Center operates one of the busiest Emergency departments in South Carolina, treating nearly 100,000 patients each year. The hospital delivers more than 4,000 babies each year and performs more than 25,000 surgeries.
