If interested in learning more please contact: Support@marylandpatientsafety.org
Reducing First Time C-Sections
The Maryland Patient Safety Center is began a two year collaborative in July 2015 to reduce first time Cesarean sections (C-Sections). The rate of c-sections in the state of Maryland at the time was about 34%, slightly higher than the national average. While a c-section is appropriate in some medically necessary situations, it does increase risks to the mother and the infant. Women who have a c-section are 90% more likely to have a c-section with subsequent pregnancies. Research has shown that decreasing the rate of the first c-section can have a significant impact on decreasing the overall c-section rate.
In order to address this issue, the Maryland Patient Safety Center partnered with the Alliance for Innovation in Maternal Health (AIM) to implement “Reducing Primary Cesarean Sections: Supporting Intended Vaginal Births”. The goals for the first year were
- Obtain baseline data for the state/participating hospitals
- Recruit collaborative participants
- Select and implement a change package for collaborative participants