Maternity Care
Note: Our Quality data is submitted to different reporting agencies in different ways. Data/information that appear on California Pacific's Quality web pages may be assigned either to individual or combined campuses at California Pacific based on a set of complex rules, such as hospital license numbers and Medicare identification numbers.
Note: A lower percentage is better.
Source: Sutter Health First Pregnancy and Delivery (FPAD)
| Indicators | CPMC-California | CPMC-St. Luke's |
|---|---|---|
| Episiotomy Rates In First Births | 16.3% | 2.4% |
| 3rd/4th Degree Laceration After Birth | 7.3% | 10.8% |
| Five-Minute Apgar Scores Of Less Than Seven | 0 | 0 |
Episiotomy Rates In First Births
What are we measuring?The percentage of first-time moms who undergo an episiotomy during childbirth. This is an incision (cut) made through the perineum and the vaginal wall to help the birth process.
Why is this important?It was once thought that episiotomy was helpful in the birth process but it is now accepted that routine episiotomy is more harmful than helpful. Therefore, episiotomy is reserved for specific reasons, such as stuck shoulders during birth.
3rd/4th Degree Laceration After Birth
What are we measuring?The percentage of 3rd or 4th degree tears of the perineum (the area between a woman's vagina and anus) during delivery. A 3rd degree tear involves the sphincter muscle either partially or completely. A 4th degree tear goes completely through the rectal mucosa and involves several layers of repair.
Why is this important?During childbirth, the perineum may tear or be cut. Third- and fourth-degree lacerations are the most severe types of tears and generally can occur during difficult deliveries. A low laceration rate is preferred.
Five-Minute Apgar Scores Of Less Than Seven
What are we measuring?The rate of newborn babies who received an Apgar score of less than seven when they were evaluated five minutes after birth. The Apgar score is a method of evaluating the physical condition of a newborn baby shortly after delivery. The score is a number determined by checking the heart rate, respiratory effort, muscle tone, skin color and response to stimuli. Each of these signs can receive 0, 1, or 2 points. When the points are added up, the maximum score is 10.
Why is this important?A baby who scores a 7 or above after birth is generally considered in good health. A score of less than 7 means that additional medical care may be necessary. However, most newborns with initial scores of less than 7 will eventually do just fine.
Note: A higher percentage is better.
Source: California Hospital Assessment and Reporting Taskforce (CHART)
California Campus | St. Luke's Campus
The graph above shows exclusive breastfeeding in hospital percentages for 2008 as follows:
| Indicator | CPMC-California | CPMC-St. Luke's | State Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Exclusive Breastfeeding (In-Hospital) | 69.2% | 85.9% | 51.9% |
| Any Breastfeeding | 95.9% | 97.6% | 89.6% |
What are we measuring?
The percentage of newborn babies who were breastfed exclusively before leaving the hospital. The mothers of these babies said they wanted to breastfeed at the time of admission and fed their babies only breastmilk throughout their hospital stay.
Why is this important?
Exclusive breastfeeding while in the hospital provides a number of benefits to the baby and the mother: it establishes effective suckling and feeding behaviors in the baby, it helps in establishing an adequate milk supply so the mother can continue to provide milk for her baby, breastmilk provides optimum nutrition for the baby, and more.
More Information
- Learn more about the benefits of exclusive breastfeeding.
- Read the San Francisco County Report on exclusive breastfeeding.
Note: A lower percentage is better.
Source: California Hospital Assessment and Reporting Taskforce (CHART)
California Campus | St. Luke's Campus
The graph above shows Cesarean birth rates for 2007 as follows:
- California campus: 14%
- St. Luke's campus: 11%
- State average: 17%
The percentage of first-time moms who deliver by Cesarean section. Low risk is defined by baby head first, not a multiple gestation, and at term.
Why is this important?
Sometimes it is not possible for babies to be born through the mother's vagina. In such cases, a cesarean delivery may be performed. It may be planned in advance when certain conditions are known. In some cases, if problems arise, the decision is made during labor.
VBAC Routinely Available (2008)
- California Campus: Yes
- St. Luke's campus: No
Source: California Hospital Assessment and Reporting Taskforce (CHART)
California Campus | St. Luke's Campus
What are we measuring?
This indicates whether the hospital offers the option for a mother to deliver her baby vaginally after she has had a prior Cesarean section.
Why is this important?
Obstetricians have found that a woman who has had one C-section delivery does not necessarily have to deliver all future babies by C-section. This measure is provided to help you understand that a facility does offer vaginal birth after prior C-section.
Note: A higher percentage is better.
Source: California Hospital Assessment and Reporting Taskforce (CHART)
California Campus | St. Luke's Campus
The graph above shows hospital ratings by maternity patients as follows:
- California campus: 70%
- St. Luke's campus: 68%
- State average: 69%
Based on their care during their hospital stay, maternity patients were asked to rate the hospital on a scale of 0 to 10, with 10 being the best care. "Hospital Rating" shows the percentage of patients who scored the hospital as a 9 or 10 after risk adjustment.
Why is this important?
Listening to our patients is an important part of high quality health care, and measuring patients' experiences at California Pacific Medical Center helps us identify opportunities for improvement.
Note: A higher percentage is better.
Source: California Hospital Assessment and Reporting Taskforce (CHART)
California Campus | St. Luke's Campus
The graph above shows the percentage of maternity patients who would recommend the hospital as follows:
- California campus: 86%
- St. Luke's campus: 81%
- State average: 76%
Maternity patients were asked whether they would recommend this hospital to friends and family.
Why is this important?
Listening to our patients is an important part of high quality health care, and measuring patients' experiences at California Pacific Medical Center helps us identify opportunities for improvement.
Web Sites
CalHospitalCompare
This Web site is the result of a partnership between three independent organizations dedicated to improving health care quality: The California HealthCare Foundation, the University of California at San Francisco Institute for Health Policy Studies, and the California Hospitals Assessment and Reporting Taskforce (CHART). Go here for more information on maternity care at California Pacific Medical Center.
California Maternal Quality Care Collaborative (CMQCC)
CMQCC is a long term collaborative effort of many organizations and individuals with sponsorship of the California Department of Public Health (Maternal, Child and Adolescent Health Program) and the California Perinatal Quality Care Collaborative (CPQCC). It is devoted to eliminating preventable maternal death and injury and promoting equitable maternity care in California by bringing resources, tools, measures, and quality improvement techniques to providers, administrators, and public health leaders.
California Perinatal Quality Care Collaborative (CPQCC)
CPQCC is a group of public and private California leaders in health care committed to improving care and outcomes for the State's pregnant mothers and newborns. The Collaborative includes 126 member hospitals, representing over 90% of all neonates cared for in California NICUs. Their major goal is the development of a Collaborative Network of public and private, Obstetric and Neonatal providers, insurers, public health professionals and business groups to support a system for benchmarking and performance improvement activities for perinatal care throughout California.
American Academy of Pediatrics
AAP is an organization of 60,000 pediatricians committed to the attainment of optimal physical, mental, and social health and well-being for all infants, children, adolescents, and young adults. This Web site contains information on the Academy's activities and programs, policies and guidelines, publications and other child health resources.
National Association of Children's Hospitals and Related Institutions
This is an organization of children's hospitals with 218 members in the United States, Canada, Australia, the United Kingdom, Italy, China, Mexico and Puerto Rico. It promotes the health and well-being of all children and their families through support of children's hospitals and health systems that are committed to excellence in providing health care to children.