HealthGrades Report Finds U.S. Cesarean Section Rate Continues Rise to Historic High: 34%

A report released today by HealthGrades, the nation’s most trusted, independent source of physician information and hospital quality outcomes, found that between 2002 and 2009 the C-section, or Cesarean section, rate in the U.S. rose from 27% of all single births to 34%, an all-time high. The highest rates of C-section were found in Florida, New Jersey and Texas, the lowest in Utah, Wisconsin and Colorado.

HealthGrades Obstetrics and Gynecology in American Hospitals report also evaluated the quality of maternity and gynecological care, over a three year period, in the 19 states where hospital patient outcomes data is publically available. HealthGrades designated the best performing hospitals in these states as 5-Star rated. Consumers can search and compare the quality of all hospital maternity and gynecology programs in their community at HealthGrades.com.

“Women today have a wide array options when it comes to reproductive health and choosing a health care provider who aligns with their personal preferences,” said Divya Cantor, MD, MBA and HealthGrades Senior Physician Consultant. “From pregnancy and childbirth to more serious interventions such as hysterectomy, surgeries to treat incontinence, ovarian and other cancers of the reproductive organs, women can optimize their chances for receiving the highest possible quality of care by researching and comparing the clinical outcomes of hospitals and doctors in their area.”

Key findings of the HealthGrades 2011 Obstetrics & Gynecology in American Hospitals report include:

·         In the 19 states studied, 7% of women undergoing single live born deliveries experience an inhospital complication. If all hospitals performed at the level of 5-Star rated hospitals in maternity care, 32% of these complications, (141,869), could have been potentially prevented. 

·         In the 19 states studied, 9% percent of women undergoing gynecologic surgery experienced an inhospital complication. If all hospitals performed at the level of the best hospitals, 35% of these complications (30,675) could have been potential prevented.

·         While hysterectomies are the most common gynecological procedure performed in hospitals, comprising 79% of all the inpatient gynecologic surgeries, the number has decreased substantially. Since 2002, the number has declined 31%.

·         The highest rate of C-section was found in Florida, (38.6%) and New Jersey (38.0%). The lowest rate was found in Utah (22.4%).

Dr. Cantor, author of HealthGrades 2011 Obstetrics & Gynecology in American Hospitals report and a practicing physician, addresses questions, submitted online by women, in a sharable video . At HealthGrades, we are committed to empowering women with the most trusted, objective information on maternity care. Often, women do have a choice about where they will deliver. Whether you deliver vaginally or by Cesarean section (C-section), there are serious health concerns to Mom and baby.

About the HealthGrades 2011 Obstetrics and Gynecology Report and Hospital Ratings
Each year, HealthGrades analyzes the quality of care at U.S. hospitals for women and their newborns. This year’s study will be released July 19th. The findings continue to show a large gap in the quality of care between top-performing and poor-performing hospitals, meaning the difference between life and death or risk of serious complications for mother and baby. HealthGrades wants to empower women to make an educated decision about where to have their babies, and how to prepare for the best outcome.

HealthGrades analysis uses three years of data (2007-2009) from the 19 states that make patient records available to the public, and calculates maternal complication rates for vaginal, cesarean section (C-section), and patient-choice C-section deliveries. HealthGrades report also includes neonatal mortality rates for all hospitals evaluated. The analysis identifies best performing (5-star rated) hospitals in maternity care to establish a best-practice benchmark against which other hospitals can be evaluated. On July 19th, HealthGrades will publish a list of best-performing hospitals on its website along with maternity care and gynecology ratings and performance information for all hospitals.

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