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Analysis of the Cesarean Section Rates in Rural Hospitals
The purpose of this study is to examine practice patterns for deliveries in rural hospitals, with a focus on cesarean section (c-section) rates, which are rising nationally. The diffusion of best practices may be slower to reach rural communities, and consequently, patterns of delivery may be different. Additionally, there may be non-medical issues that affect rates in rural areas, such as lack of surgical coverage on weekends. Since c-sections are more costly than vaginal births, the number of c-sections in financially challenged rural hospitals, where obstetric departments are not typically revenue generators, becomes a cost concern.
The 2000 Nationwide Inpatient Sample will be used to identify the number of deliveries performed in the sample hospitals. The proportion of deliveries that are c-section for each hospital will be calculated as well as an aggregate rate for all rural hospitals and all urban hospitals. C-section rates for rural hospitals of varying size will also be compared to urban hospitals of varying size and teaching status. Findings will be presented in a working paper and a findings brief.
Publications
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Cesarean Section Patterns In Rural Hospitals
Author(s): Sandra B. Greene, George M. Holmes, Rebecca Slifkin, Victoria Freeman, Hilda Ann Howard
Report Number: Working Paper No. 80
Date: 11 / 2004
Examines childbirth delivery patterns in rural hospitals and compares the cesarean section (c-section) rate in rural hospitals to that in urban hospitals. The c-section rate for rural hospitals was well above the 10-15% rate recommended by the World Health Organization, and was higher (but not statistically significant) in rural hospitals than in urban hospitals. A Findings Brief on this topic is also available.
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Cesarean Section Rates in Rural Hospitals
Author(s): Sandra Greene, George Holmes, Rebecca Slifkin, Victoria Freeman, Hilda Ann Howard
Report Number: Findings Brief No. 79
Date: 03 / 2005
Findings Brief examining childbirth delivery patterns in rural hospitals and comparing the C-section rate in rural hospitals to that in urban hospitals using the Nationwide Inpatient Sample (NIS). Working Paper No. 80 on this topic is also available.
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