Maternity kudos for Kaiser Permanente San Jose

Kaiser Permanente San Jose 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.

“Our teams work hard every day to provide the highest-quality and safest care to our new moms and their babies,” said Irene Chavez, Kaiser Permanente San Jose’s senior vice president and area manager. “We’re proud to be recognized for the excellent care our Labor and Delivery teams provide to our patients. .”

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 put out patients at the forefront of everything we do and want to make sure they receive the safest care possible,”” said Efren Rosas, MD, surgery and physician in chief of the medical center. “This recognition reflects the hard work and dedication of our clinical care teams that care for our new moms and their babies.”

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