Supporting Vaginal Delivery For Low Risk Mothers

SOAR

Abbreviation

SuppOrting vAginal delivery for low Risk mothers

SOAR is an initiative to reduce unnecessary cesarean delivery for low-risk, first-time mothers. The focus is on delivery of a nulliparous (first-time), singleton (single infant), term (> 37 weeks gestation) newborn in vertex (head-down) position, known as NTSV delivery.

“I am so proud of the work our physicians and nurses at Vail Health are doing as we participate in SOAR. Being a part of this project with other Colorado hospitals has given us the support and spirit to invigorate the work we do at Vail Health. For the past three months, the cesarean rate for our first-time, low-risk mothers has been below 13%. We are making a significant difference in the lives of families in our community, helping to prevent maternal morbidity and mortality.”
Elizabeth McDaniel, BSN, CNML, RNC-OB Clinical Nurse Manager, Family Birth Center, Vail Health Hospital

Click here to read Vail Daily’s coverage of this important initiative! 

Why Is This Important?

Nearly 1 in 3 women who give birth in the United States does so by cesarean section. Cesarean birth can be life-saving for the fetus, the mother, or both in some cases. However, according to The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), there is no clear evidence that the high cesarean delivery rate has reduced maternal or neonatal morbidity or mortality, raising concern that cesareans are over-utilized. Unnecessary cesarean sections increase maternal morbidity and mortality and drive up health care costs.

Cesarean deliveries are associated with higher risk of maternal morbidity, including hemorrhage that requires hysterectomy or blood administration, uterine rupture, anesthesia complications, venous thromboembolism, infection, and wound disruption or hematoma. Infants born by cesarean are at greater risk for respiratory problems, antibiotic exposure and interference with maternal-child bonding.

At 21.4%, Colorado has a NTSV cesarean delivery rate that is better than the national average. But, there are broad differences in rates among Colorado hospitals, ranging from 7% to 45%.

The ultimate goal of this initiative is that all Colorado hospitals achieve the Healthy People national goal of 23.9% or less.

Partners & Participants

The following 6 hospitals are currently participating in the pilot project to reduce the NTSV cesarean delivery rate.  Some of these hospitals already have low rates but want to improve even more.

  • Lutheran Medical Center, Wheat Ridge
  • Montrose Memorial Hospital, Montrose
  • Rose Medical Center, Denver
  • Saint Joseph Hospital, Denver
  • St. Mary’s Medical Center, Grand Junction
  • Vail Health, Vail

Approach

CPCQC is working with participating hospitals and their obstetrical providers to assure that the recommendations from ACOG and the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine (SMFM) are consistently practiced. To accomplish this, we are adapting and adopting tools from a toolkit developed by the California Maternal Quality Care Collaborative (CMQCC). CPCQC staff provides education, data and other resources to the participating hospitals.

Helpful Resources &
Related Content

Want to learn more about safely reducing unnecessary cesarean deliveries? Check-out these tools and sites:

 

Ready to Make a Difference?

A steady rise in maternal mortality rates and disparities in infant mortality have increased the spotlight on the quality of care delivered by hospitals and their staff. Together, we can address these issues, improve outcomes and reduce preventable deaths in our state.

Get Involved

cpcqc is organized exclusively for charitable and educational purposes to promote and advance perinatal care in the state of Colorado. As such, we are unable to distribute information involving for-profit entities, such as pharmaceutical companies or other healthcare vendors.

Healthier Outcomes For Colorado’s Moms & Babies