Dignity Health Memorial Hospital Recognized among Top Hospitals in California with the Lowest C-Section Rates
BAKERSFIELD, CA – January 19, 2018 – Dignity Health Memorial Hospital is one of 111 California hospitals that has met or surpassed a federal target aimed at reducing Cesarean births (C-Sections) in first-time mothers with low-risk pregnancies, according to the California Health and Human Services Agency (CHHS). This is the second consecutive year that Dignity Health Memorial Hospital has made the list.
To respond to a rise in unnecessary C-Sections across the United States, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services adopted the Healthy People 2020 target of reducing nationwide C- Section rates for low-risk, first-births to 23.9 percent. While life-saving in some circumstances, unnecessary C-Sections can pose serious risks to mothers and babies.
“We applaud the hospitals that have hit the 23.9 percent target two years in a row,” said Elliott Main, M.D., who leads the California Maternity Care Quality Collaborative (CMQCC), a multi-stakeholder organization committed to ending preventable morbidity, mortality and racial disparities in California maternity care. “Sustainability is hard, but these hospitals have shown it can be done. It involves a commitment from leadership and the engagement of the entire team of nurses and doctors.”
Memorial credits their 24 hour OB hospitalist program which was started in 2012 and is the only program in the area, with helping them achieve such low C-Sections rates. The OB Hospitalist serve as a safety net for labor and delivery and are available in emergencies in the event there's an immediate need for an OB/GYN.
To schedule an interview with one of our maternity experts or for additional information please contact Jessica Neeley, Communications Specialist at (661) 327-4647 x4400
About Bakersfield Memorial Hospital
Bakersfield Memorial Hospital is a 426 bed acute care medical center offering a full range of services including the Sarvanand Heart and Brain Center, The Grossman Burn Center at Memorial Hospital, expanded maternity and family care, the Lauren Small Children’s Center, orthopedic services, 24-hour emergency care and general/outpatient surgery. Memorial Hospital is a Children’s Miracle Network Hospital and is home to the Bakersfield Ronald McDonald House. Memorial Hospital is a member of Dignity Health and is a trusted community partner, serving residents of Bakersfield and Kern County with quality care since 1956.
Publish date:
Thursday, January 18, 2018