Birthing and Obstetrics - Clinical Data

Clinical measures have been identified by The Joint Commission as being important indicators of care quality.  A process of care measure shows how often hospitals give recommended treatments that are known to get the best results for patients.  Risk-adjusted mortality measures are a quality indicator of hospital performance.


Neonatal - Mortality Rate

A low number is better.

What this means

This measures the percentage of infants who die within 28 days of birth. The measure corrects for the fact that some babies are sicker than others.

The Expected Mortality shown in this comparison is a calculated measure developed by the Joint Commission, and is based on “risk adjustment” information about Fletcher Allen patients. It reflects the fact that some patients are sicker than others or have pre-existing conditions that make death more likely. This measure shows Fletcher Allen actual and predicted outcomes as well as our performance in relationship to other similar academic medical centers.

Why it’s important

A low mortality rate is an indicator of a good patient care process. This measure shows how Fletcher Allen compares with similar medical centers nationwide.

The measures below are commonly used at academic and tertiary care hospitals. Fletcher Allen, in alliance with the University of Vermont, is one of approximately 130 academic medical centers in the United States. It participates in collaborative benchmark efforts to improve the quality of the care provided to its patients. The national comparison shown below is based on more than 100 participating academic medical centers in the University HealthSystem Consortium. The consortium produces information for benchmarking at these academic medical centers.

The role of academic medical centers includes accepting patients with more severe and complex medical conditions than most community hospitals. Comparing Fletcher Allen to other academic medical centers is a more appropriate comparison than a broad national comparison that doesn't reflect a similar patient population.

Chart Source Data - Joint Commission #1

Obstetric - Mortality Rate

A low number is better.

What this means

This measures the percentage of obstetrics patients who die during their hospital stay.

The Expected Mortality shown in this comparison is a calculated measure developed by the University Health System Consortium, and it is based on “risk adjustment” information about Fletcher Allen patients. It reflects the fact that some patients are sicker than others or have preexisting conditions that make death more likely. This measure shows Fletcher Allen actual and predicted outcomes as well as our performance in relationship to other similar academic medical centers.

Why it’s important

A low mortality rate is an indicator of a good patient care process. This measure shows how Fletcher Allen compares with similar medical centers nationwide.

Chart Source Data - University HealthSystem Consortium

Obstetric Trauma Rate (Vaginal with Instrument)

A lower number is better.

What this means

Cases of obstetric trauma (3rd or 4th degree lacerations) per 1,000 instrument-assisted vaginal deliveries. 

The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) Quality Indicators are measures of health care quality. AHRQ provides a target value for this indicator.  

The University HealthSystem Consortium "Academic Centers' Median" value permits comparison of Fletcher Allen data to other similar academic medical centers.

Why it’s important

This obstetric trauma indicator is one of the AHRQ Patient Safety Indicators. These indicators are tools to help health system leaders identify potential adverse events occurring during hospitalization.

Chart Source Data - University HealthSystem Consortium

Primary Cesarean Delivery Rate

A low number is better.

What this means

This measures the percentage of first-time cesarean deliveries out of all deliveries. The measure excludes certain cases which would distort the results.

No risk-adjusted, Fletcher Allen "expected" percentage is provided by University HealthSystem Consortium for this measure. This measure shows Fletcher Allen data as well as our performance in relationship to other similar academic medical centers.

Why it’s important

Cesarean delivery has been identified as an overused procedure. This measure shows how Fletcher Allen compares with similar medical centers nationwide.

Chart Source Data - University HealthSystem Consortium

Vaginal Birth After Cesarean Rate, All (IQI 34)

A higher number is better.

What this means

This measures the percentage of vaginal births per 100 discharges with a diagnosis of previous cesarean delivery.   

No risk-adjusted, Fletcher Allen "expected" percentage is provided by University HealthSystem Consortium for this measure.  The measure shows Fletcher Allen data as well as our performance in relationship to other similar academic medical centers.

Why it’s important

Vaginal birth after cesarean has been identified as a potentially underused procedure. As such, higher rates represent better quality. This measure shows how Fletcher Allen compares with similar medical centers nationwide.

Chart Source Data - University HealthSystem Consortium

Obstetric Trauma Rate (Vaginal Without Instrument)

A lower number is better.

What this means

Cases of obstetric trauma (3rd or 4th degree lacerations) per 1,000 vaginal deliveries without instrument assistance.

The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) Quality Indicators are measures of health care quality. AHRQ provides a target value for this indicator.  

The University HealthSystem Consortium "Academic Centers' Median" value permits comparison of Fletcher Allen data to other similar academic medical centers.

Why it’s important

This obstetric trauma indicator is one of the AHRQ Patient Safety Indicators. These indicators are tools to help health system leaders identify potential adverse events occurring during hospitalization.

Chart Source Data - University HealthSystem Consortium

Birth Trauma Rate

A lower number is better.

What this means

Cases of birth trauma per 1,000 liveborn births.

The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) Quality Indicators are measures of health care quality. AHRQ provides a target value for this indicator.  

The University HealthSystem Consortium "Academic Centers' Median" value permits comparison of Fletcher Allen data to other similar academic medical centers.

Why it’s important

This birth trauma indicator is one of the AHRQ Patient Safety Indicators. These indicators are tools to help health system leaders identify potential adverse events occurring during hospitalization.

Chart Source Data - University HealthSystem Consortium