Register      Login
New South Wales Public Health Bulletin New South Wales Public Health Bulletin Society
Supporting public health practice in New South Wales
RESEARCH ARTICLE

Development of a maternity hospital classification for use in perinatal research

Michael O. Falster A B , Christine L. Roberts A E , Jane Ford A , Jonathan Morris A C , Ann Kinnear D and Michael Nicholl C D
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations

A Clinical and Population Perinatal Research, Kolling Institute of Medical Research, Royal North Shore Hospital

B NSW Biostatistical Officer Training Program, NSW Department of Health

C Department of Obstetrics, Gynaecology and Neonatology, The University of Sydney at Royal North Shore Hospital

D Primary Health and Community Partnerships, NSW Department of Health

E Corresponding author. Email: christine.roberts@sydney.edu.au

NSW Public Health Bulletin 23(2) 12-16 https://doi.org/10.1071/NB11026
Published: 28 March 2012

Abstract

Abstract: We aimed to develop a maternity hospital classification, using stable and easily available criteria, that would have wide application in maternity services research and allow comparison across state, national and international jurisdictions. A classification with 13 obstetric groupings (12 hospital groups and home births) was based on neonatal care capability, urban and rural location, annual average number of births and public/private hospital status. In a case study of early elective birth we demonstrate that neonatal morbidity differs according to the maternity hospital classification, and also that the 13 groups can be collapsed in ways that are pragmatic from a clinical and policy decision-making perspective, and are manageable for analysis.


References

[1]  Keeler EB, Rubenstein LV, Kahn KL, Draper D, Harrison ER, McGinty MJ, et al. Hospital characteristics and quality of care. JAMA 1992; 268 1709–14.
Hospital characteristics and quality of care.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:STN:280:DyaK38vgvVSmtg%3D%3D&md5=d6c38f6bc5fbdd58292ebf5737397231CAS |

[2]  Phibbs CS, Bronstein JM, Buxton E, Phibbs RH. The effects of patient volume and level of care at the hospital of birth on neonatal mortality. JAMA 1996; 276 1054–9.
The effects of patient volume and level of care at the hospital of birth on neonatal mortality.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:STN:280:DyaK28vgsVehtQ%3D%3D&md5=f9b772b158236b4ded5c5ec18a68697dCAS |

[3]  Birkmeyer JD, Stukel TA, Siewers AE, Goodney PP, Wennberg DE, Lucas FL. Surgeon volume and operative mortality in the United States. N Engl J Med 2003; 349 2117–27.
Surgeon volume and operative mortality in the United States.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD3sXptlKhsL0%3D&md5=8c0785e993bb31492841c57586457c91CAS |

[4]  Badawi N, Adelson P, Roberts C, Spence K, Laing S, Cass D. Neonatal surgery in New South Wales--what is performed where? J Pediatr Surg 2003; 38 1025–31.
Neonatal surgery in New South Wales--what is performed where?Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

[5]  National Health and Medical Research Council. Clinical practice guidelines: care around preterm birth. Canberra: NHMRC; 1997.

[6]  NSW Health Department. Guide to role delineation of health services. Sydney: NSW Health; 2002.

[7]  Algert CS, Morris JM, Bowen JR, Giles W, Roberts CL. Twin deliveries and place of birth in NSW 2001–2005. Aust N Z J Obstet Gynaecol 2009; 49 461–6.
Twin deliveries and place of birth in NSW 2001–2005.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

[8]  Buckmaster AG, Arnolda G, Wright IM, Foster JP, Henderson-Smart DJ. Continuous positive airway pressure therapy for infants with respiratory distress in non tertiary care centers: a randomised, controlled trial. Pediatrics 2007; 120 509–18.
Continuous positive airway pressure therapy for infants with respiratory distress in non tertiary care centers: a randomised, controlled trial.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

[9]  Falster MO, Roberts CL, Ford J, Morris J, Nicholl M. Informing hospital role delineation: Elective delivery of pregnant women before the due date. Aust Epidemiol 2010; 17 48

[10]  Bailit JL, Gregory KD, Reddy UM, Gonzalez-Quintero VH, Hibbard JU, Ramirez MM, et al. Maternal and neonatal outcomes by labor onset type and gestational age. Am J Obstet Gynecol 2010; 202 245.e1–e12.
Maternal and neonatal outcomes by labor onset type and gestational age.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

[11]  Lain S, Algert C, Nassar N, Bowen J, Roberts C. Incidence of Severe Adverse Neonatal Outcomes: Use of a Composite Indicator in a Population Cohort. Matern Child Health J 2011;
Incidence of Severe Adverse Neonatal Outcomes: Use of a Composite Indicator in a Population Cohort.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

[12]  Roberts CL, Cameron CA, Bell JC, Algert CS, Morris JM. Measuring maternal morbidity in routinely collected health data: development and validation of a maternal morbidity outcome indicator. Med Care 2008; 46 786–94.
Measuring maternal morbidity in routinely collected health data: development and validation of a maternal morbidity outcome indicator.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |