Kaiser Permanente Santa Clara lauded for maternal care

Kaiser Permanente Santa Clara Medical Center is among the 124 hospitals in the state named to the 2021 Maternity Care Honor Roll.

This recognition is for hospitals that met or surpassed the statewide target aimed at reducing births via cesarean sections in first-time mothers with low-risk pregnancies. The 124 hospitals on the honor roll represent 60% of all 208 hospitals that offer maternity services and participate in the California Maternal Quality Care Collaborative’s Maternal Data Center.

Kaiser Permanente Northern California hospitals have been a leader in providing innovative approaches to maternal care, including our Supporting Vaginal Birth Program that resulted in marked decreases in cesarean birth for first-time moms, and the Enhanced Recovery After Surgery Program, which helps new mothers recover more quickly after delivering by C-section with enhanced early mobility and improved pain control minimizing the use of narcotics. A focus on breastfeeding is also integral to Kaiser Permanente’s maternity care, which has proven health benefits for both baby and mom.

“We are proud of this recognition and the commitment by our clinical teams to reduce the amount of cesarean births when safely possible,” said Eric Williams, FACHE, senior vice president and area manager of Kaiser Permanente Santa Clara. “Our focus is on providing the highest-quality and safest care to our new moms and their babies.”.”

In 2015, the California Health and Human Services Agency began recognizing hospitals that meet the 23.9% statewide target of C-sections for low-risk births through its Maternity Care Honor Roll. This year’s award reflects calendar year 2020 hospital discharge and birth certificate data.

Overuse of C-sections can result in higher rates of complications for mothers including hemorrhage, transfusions, infection, and blood clots. The surgery also brings risks for babies, including higher rates of infection, respiratory complications, neonatal intensive care unit stays, and lower breastfeeding rates.

“We continue to be recognized for providing excellent maternal care,” said Rakesh Chaudhary, MD, and physician in chief at Kaiser Permanente Santa Clara. “This honor is a testatment to the hard work and dedication of our clinical care teams, who put our patients at the center of everything they do.”

For more information on the California 2021 Maternity Care Honor Roll visit https://calhospitalcompare.org/programs/maternity-care-honor-roll/