Regional Perinatal System (RPS)
>> Perinatal Statistics >> Perinatal Profiles

The California Department of Health Services, Maternal, Child and Adolescent Health Division distributes a new issue of Perinatal Profiles to all birthing facilities in San Diego and Imperial counties on an annual basis. The most current issue includes statistics for the year 2005 in addition to five year cohort data for 2000 thru 2005. The primary purpose of Perinatal Profiles is to provide a way of comparing mortality rates in a hospital or within a region to the statewide mortality rates - with neonatal mortality being the main measure of hospital-based obstetric and neonatal care. The secondary purpose of the Perinatal Profiles is to assess additional quality health indicators for perinatal care which include the Healthy People 2010 national and state objectives. These additional quality health indicators focus on the percentage of very low birth weight infants born at facilities without expanded neonatal care, the proportion of mothers who begin prenatal care in the first trimester of pregnancy, and the percentage of primary cesarean sections performed at individual birthing facilities.

The statistics contained in the Perinatal Profiles are analyzed based on the location where the birth occurred. Data is then grouped and presented in the following categories: (1) the State of California; (2) MCH-designated Perinatal Regions; (3) level-of-care; and (4) individual birthing facilities. Consequently, hospitals are able to compare their individual statistics to the state as a whole, to other regions in California, and/or to other similar facilities in their region that provide the same level of care. The levels of care are based on the following MCH classifications: (1) Primary Care; (2) CCS-designated Intermediate NICU; (3) CCS-designated Community NICU; (4) CCS-designated Regional NICU; (5) all levels of NICUs not designated by CCS; and (6) Other Locations. By grouping birthing facilities by level of care, hospitals can more accurately benchmark against similar facilities within their region. This information has been and continues to be extremely useful in identifying regional and individual quality improvement opportunities. For comments or questions regarding the Perinatal Profiles or to schedule a presentation to review your individual facility statistics, please contact Madonna Carlson or Lisa Cardenas at (858) 536-5090.