Honor to Kaiser Permanente Redwood City for maternity excellence

Kaiser Permanente Redwood City Medical Center is being recognized for excellence in maternity care by reducing the use of births via cesarean sections, which can lead to higher rates of complications for mothers and babies.

Kaiser Permanente Redwood City Medical Center is among the 108 hospitals in California named to the 2022 Maternity Care Honor Roll.

This recognition is for hospitals that met or surpassed the statewide target aimed at reducing births via C-sections in first-time mothers with low-risk pregnancies. The 108 hospitals on the honor roll represent 51% of all 211 hospitals that offer maternity services and participate in the California Maternal Quality Care Collaborative’s Maternal Data Center.

“We know that having a baby is an exciting and nervous time for new parents,” said Sheila Gilson, senior vice president and area manager of the medical center. “This honor recognizes Kaiser Permanente Redwood City for the excellent maternity care we provide.”

Kaiser Permanente Northern California is a leader in providing innovative approaches to maternal care and is working to improve equity in maternal health. Our hospitals are among the best in the country for meeting rigorous standards for maternity care, including low C-section rates, elective early deliveries and for following important protocols to safely protect new moms and their babies. Last year, nearly 44,000 babies were delivered at Kaiser Permanente Northern California hospitals.

“Our physicians and staff are committed to providing high-quality care to our new moms and their babies,” said Grace Firtch, M.D., physician in chief of the Kaiser Permanente Redwood City Medical Center. “We are proud to receive the honor roll recognition.”

In 2015, the California Health and Human Services Agency began recognizing hospitals that meet the statewide target of C-sections for low-risk births through its Maternity Care Honor Roll. Starting this year, CHC changed the NTSV C-section rate threshold for honor roll hospitals from 23.9% to 23.6% to align with the Healthy People 2030 goals. This year’s award reflects calendar year 2021 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.

For more information on the California 2022 Maternity Care Honor Roll visit https://calhospitalcompare.org/programs/maternity-care-honor-roll/

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