Patient safety in obstetrics-the Hospital Corporation of America experience

We report an update on obstetric patient safety efforts and results in the nation's largest obstetric health care delivery system. The application of principles advocated by the Institute of Medicine a decade ago has resulted in reduced adverse outcomes, as reflected by claims experience. Particular progress has been made in standardization and documentation of critical processes, establishment of national quality benchmarks, reduction in elective deliveries < 39 weeks' gestation, and reduction in fatal postcesarean pulmonary embolism. Our experience provides a useful blueprint for similar progress in other health care systems.