Hospitals in pursuit of excellence

Reducing Third and Fourth Degree Obstetrical Trauma

Newton-Wellesley Hospital reviewed rates of third and fourth degree obstetrical trauma (Patient Safety Indicators 18 and 19) determined that their rates were highest amongst the other system entities and were above the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality national benchmarks. To address this challenge, the organization convened a multi-disciplinary Quality Improvement Taskforce consisting of representation from clinical and administrative leadership, obstetric-gynecological physicians and quality and patient safety.