Summary

Eight Texas hospitals are conducting a Clinical Practice Improvement study to determine areas of significant improvement in the management of labor and delivery patients with a focus on understanding factors associated with performing C-sections.  Data are being collected on 1,600 patients.

Primary Objectives

1. Improve clinical outcomes and services for labor and delivery patients.

2. Reduce the rate of C-section and delivery complications.

3. Create research-based optimal treatment protocols for labor and delivery.

METHODS

Detailed patient, treatment, and outcomes data are being collected on 1,600 labor and delivery patients.  We will analyze the data to determine those labor and delivery approaches that are associated with more C-sections and delivery complications.  Multivariate analyses will control for severity of illness, other patient factors, labor and delivery approaches, and facility characteristics in association with outcomes such as C-section versus vaginal delivery and various types of delivery complications.