Smart Care California released its third annual C-Section Honor Roll, which recognizes hospitals in the state that have met or surpassed a federal target aiming at reducing births via Cesarean section (C-section) in first-time mothers with low-risk pregnancies.
Across the state, 122 hospitals were recognized that represent more than half of all hospitals that offer maternity services in California. Seventeen of these hospitals are public health care systems, which represents approximately 81% of all public health care systems across the state.
Evidence suggests that the chance of having a C-section delivery largely depends on aspects such as where a woman delivers and the practice patterns of her obstetric care team. Even for low-risk, first-birth pregnancies, huge variations are noted in rates of C-sections at individual hospitals. In California hospitals, these rates range from less than 15 percent to more than 70 percent.
To address this variation and improve maternal and child care, the public health care systems are addressing C-section rates as part of the Public Hospital Redesign and Incentives in Medi-Cal (PRIME) program – the state’s largest pay-for-performance program. Twelve members reduced their C-section rates in PRIME between program years 16-17 and 17-18, through OB-GYN workflow standardization, review of targeted cases by care teams and engaged participation in the California Maternal Care Quality Collaborative.
Thanks to these coordinated investments, compared to other hospitals in the state, the public health care systems have a lower rate of C-sections (21.7) than the state average of 25.0. The focus on C-section rates is part of a larger effort in PRIME to improve prenatal and post-partum care, including breastfeeding rates, and reduce risk of OB hemorrhaging.
Congratulations to the Public Health Care Systems Recognized on the C-section Honor Roll:
- Alameda Health System – Highland Hospital
- Arrowhead Regional Medical Center
- Contra Costa Regional Medical Center
- Kern Medical
- LAC+USC Medical Center
- Natividad Medical Center
- Riverside University Health System
- San Joaquin General Hospital
- Santa Clara Valley Medical Center
- UC Irvine Health
- UC San Diego Health
- UCLA Medical Center, Santa Monica
- UCLA Olive View
- UCSF Betty Irene Moore Women’s Hospital
- Ventura County Medical Center
- Santa Paula Hospital (Ventura)
- Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital and Trauma Center
Want to learn more?
See the full list of hospitals recognized and read the state’s press release. Also, explore how California is leading the nation with maternal health improvements with this article from Vox – California decided it was tired of women bleeding to death in childbirth.