UnityPoint hospitals in Des Moines have seen a tenfold increase in patients testing positive for the flu over the past three weeks.

UnityPoint Health-Des Moines is postponing some elective surgeries and procedures as Iowa finds itself in the midst of surging flu cases.

UnityPoint Health in Des Moines is hitting pause on elective surgeries while it deals with a high number of patients. The medical center announced elective surgeries and procedures requiring overnight stays will be postponed from Thursday through Tuesday, Jan. 13.

Already known for its advanced maternal and newborn care, UnityPoint Health St. Luke's is now designated as having a Level 3 neonatal intensive care unit.

According to UnityPoint Health St. Luke’s, a Level 3 NICU is equipped to care for premature newborns, including infants who are born earlier than 32 weeks and those who require respiratory support, medical intervention and continuous monitoring.

Last year was a record-breaker for UnityPoint Health-Meriter. The hospital welcomed more babies in 2025 than in any previous year.

UnityPoint Health Finley Hospital in Dubuque, Iowa, is ending inpatient care for pediatric patients, the hospital confirmed to Becker’s Jan. 17. “The pediatricians within Grand River Medical Group have made the difficult decision to no longer provide ...

Nurses working at UnityPoint hospitals in Des Moines submitted a request Wednesday for voluntary recognition of a union, calling for the health care system to provide safer work space, better wages, and adequate staffing. A group of UnityPoint nurses ...

MADISON (WKOW) — UnityPoint Health – Meriter's birthing center had a busy year in 2025. The Madison hospital is celebrating a record-breaking year with 5,205 babies born at its birthing center. This marks an increase of 167 births compared to 2024.