Does your rural hospital provide safe obstetrical care for your community?
While in-hospital maternal mortality is declining, significant maternal morbidities are increasing—particularly in rural hospitals. Some rural hospitals with low delivery volumes are at higher risk for significant maternal morbidities, demonstrating a need for quality improvement strategies to ensure that rural communities have access to high-quality maternal care. Are there steps your hospital can take to reduce risks and make your deliveries safer?
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), overall maternal mortality has risen in the United States over the past few years. However, this MedPageToday article In-Hospital Delivery-Related Maternal Mortality on the Decline  reviews a recent study published in JAMA Open Network which concludes that the opposite is true for in-hospital deliveries.
A study of "over 11 million hospital discharges from 2008 to 2021" showed a steady decline year over year in maternal deaths in a hospital setting. In the same time period, the study also showed an increase in "significant maternal morbidity," attributed to an increase in maternal risk factors. Developing a process to identify and address these risks may lead to better outcomes.
In the article, Maternal Outcomes at Rural Hospitals Hinge on Delivery Volume, MedPageToday explores the increased risk for maternal morbidity in low-volume rural hospitals.
Rural hospitals with low delivery volumes should be aware of these trends and consider the means to ensure adequate competencies and resource availability.
On a related topic, please see our practice tip on Cesarean Delivery: Emergency Response Plan.