Maternity Care Quality
For 10 years in a row, UC San Diego Health as fully met the maternity care standards measured by the independent Leapfrog Hospital Survey for:
- Elective delivery rate
- Cesarean sections rate
- Episiotomy rate
- Maternity care precaution standards
- High-risk deliveries
Also see Pregnancy & Birth Care
High-Quality Care, Better Results
- Our hospitals consistently have the highest rate of vaginal birth after cesarean section (VBAC) in San Diego County
- We have one of the lowest episiotomy rates in California.
- We are consistently named to the C-Section Honor Roll for meeting statewide targets for reducing C-sections in low-risk, first-time mothers
Nationally Recognized Maternity Care
- Our two hospitals are recognized on Newsweek's short list of Best Maternity Hospitals.
- Our obstetrics & gynecology care is ranked No. 12 in the nation by U.S. News & World Report.
- U.S. News & World Report also recognizes UC San Diego Health as a High Performing Hospital for Maternity Care, the publication's top award for obstetric and infant care.
For more details on these and other standards, see the tables below. Unless otherwise noted, the statistics for UC San Diego Health outcomes are from the Leapfrog Hospital Survey (aggregated for our Hillcrest and La Jolla locations) and are for July 2021 – June 2022, the most recent time period for which data is available.
Low-Risk Delivery Outcomes
C-section Rate at 37 Weeks or Later | Outcome (Lower is Better) |
---|---|
UC San Diego Health | 23.8% |
California average | 23.9% |
Healthy People 2020 target | 23.6% or lower |
Exclusive Breast Milk Feeding* | Outcome (Higher is Better) |
---|---|
UC San Diego Health | 87.9% |
California average | 69.4% |
Vaginal Birth After Cesarean Section (VBAC) | Outcome (Higher is Better) |
---|---|
UC San Diego Health | 24.1% |
California average | 16.1% |
Episiotomy in Vaginal Deliveries | Outcome (Lower is Better) |
---|---|
UC San Diego Health | 1.2% |
California average | 3.5% |
Leapfrog target | 5% or lower |
Screening Newborns for Jaundice Before Discharge | Outcome (Higher is Better) |
---|---|
UC San Diego Health | 99.05% |
Leapfrog target | 90% or higher |
UC San Diego Health screens all newborns for jaundice, a common condition that causes yellow discoloration in a newborn’s skin and eyes. Complications are rare, but in some cases, an underlying disease may cause jaundice. A rate of 90% or above is considered desirable.
Preventing Blood Clots in Women Undergoing Cesarean Section | Outcome (Higher is Better) |
---|---|
UC San Diego Health | 94.95% |
Leapfrog target | 90% or higher |
High-Risk Delivery Outcomes
Elective Delivery Between 37 and 39 Weeks Gestation | Outcome (Lower is Better) |
---|---|
UC San Diego Health | 2.65% |
Leapfrog target | 5% or lower |
Number of High-Risk Deliveries | Outcome (Higher is Better) |
---|---|
UC San Diego Health | 878 |
Leapfrog target | 50 or higher |
About Quality Outcomes
UC San Diego Health is committed to providing the safest and highest quality care. To continually improve that care, we measure our performance against our own rigorous standards as well as outcomes at top medical centers nationwide.
We believe that sharing our results with the public is an obligation and a critical factor in our mission of continuous improvement. Our progress in maintaining the highest standards of care is reflected in our accreditations, rankings and activities.