The Leapfrog Hospital Survey has issued its 2020 results for Hospital Performance for Maternity Care Standards. The report focuses on the national rate of maternity care complications across three sections: Cesarean, Episiotomy, and Early Elective Deliveries.
How Common Are C-Sections in Michigan?
The survey reports that one in three childbirths occur by cesarean section in the United States, which has decreased over recent years.
While a C-section may be necessary to protect the health of the mother and baby, it also carries serious risks including infections, blood clots, and longer recovery periods. Leapfrog Survey seeks, therefore, to have hospitals have a cesarean birth rate of 23.9% or lower. Statistically, only 40% of all hospitals surveyed managed to meet these criteria. The survey also found a drastic variation between states reporting C-sections, with Wyoming, Utah, Colorado, and Idaho averaging 18% and Kentucky averaging 29.4%.
A survey of the top Michigan hospitals reported:
- Beaumont Hospital, Royal Oak: 36%
- Sparrow: 35%
- Beaumont Hospital, Dearborn: 33.3%
- Harper-Hutzel Hospital: 27.2%
- Ascension St. John Hospital: 25.3%
- Henry Ford Hospital: 24.5%
How Common Is Episiotomy?
Episiotomy refers to the incision made in the perineum to make the vaginal opening larger during childbirth. While this once was standard practice during delivery, it has fallen out of practice due to the risk of perineal tears, loss of bladder or bowel control, and pelvic floor defects. The survey reports a five-year downward trajectory in episiotomy rates, but results remain higher than the Leapfrog Standard of 5%.
A survey of the top Michigan hospitals reported:
- Beaumont Hospital, Royal Oak: 6.7%
- Sparrow: 3.2%
- Beaumont Hospital, Dearborn: 5.7%
- Ascension St. John Hospital: 3.4%
- Henry Ford Hospital: 2.7%
- Harper-Hutzel Hospital: 1.6%
What Are Michigan’s Early Elective Delivery Rates?
Early elective deliveries focus on medical induction performed prior to 39 completed weeks of gestation without a medical reason.
Delivers before this period carries a risk to both babies and mothers, such as NICU admissions, extended hospitalization, and increased cost. The survey previously reported an all-time high of 17% of births were early elective deliveries; now, hospitals are reporting early elective deliveries below the 5% level.
About Grewal Law PLLC
At Grewal Law PLLC, we represent parents and their children in birth injury claims. No parent or child should have to suffer a preventable injury, but sadly, it happens all too often during childbirth. That’s why we are proud to hold negligent medical professionals accountable for harming patients and their children. To date, we have recovered millions for our clients in Grand Rapids, Okemos, Northville, and across the state of Michigan.
Call (888) 211-5798 to speak with a Michigan attorney in a free consultation. We can also be reached online.