Hospital cuts C-section rates with data transparency, scheduling rule changes

A hospital in Orange County, California, cut its cesarean section rates from one of the highest in the area to slightly more than 1 in 3 over a three-year period, according to Kaiser Health News. To reduce its numbers, Hoag Memorial Hospital Presbyterian shared data on C-sections with all the physicians in the department with names removed, and then revealed the names, making it clear who was above or below the average. This data acted as a wake-up call on the need to ensure a C-section is necessary before performing it. Hoag also tightened scheduling rules to require doctors to fill out detailed forms and request approval as part of the C-section process. Article