State Data Show Uptick in C-Section Rates, Drop in Cardiac Procedures
The rate of caesarean sections at California hospitals has increased over the past few years, while the number of certain cardiac procedures has declined steadily, according to data from the Office of Statewide Health Planning and Development, Payers & Providers reports.
C-Section Rates
When OSHPD first started collecting data in 2005, the rate of c-sections at California hospitals was 27.1 per 100 births.
In 2008, the c-section rate at California hospitals hit 29.2 per 100 births, climbing to 29.8 per 100 births in 2009.
Despite the recent increase, the statewide c-section rate still falls below the national average of about 31 per 100 births.
Joseph Parker, manager of OSHPD's health outcomes center, said that patients' and physicians' scheduling restrictions might have contributed to the uptick in c-section rates.
Cardiac Procedure Rates
The OSHPD data also show that the number of certain cardiac procedures performed has declined in recent years.
For example, the number of coronary artery bypass graft procedures performed at California hospitals decreased by 20%Â from 21,295 in 2005 to 17,105 in 2009.
In addition, the number of coronary angioplasties declined from 60,414 in 2005 to 50,514 in 2009, a 17% decrease.
OSHPD and hospital officials say the decrease in cardiac procedures could be related to a greater use of certain medications, such as blood thinners (Payers & Providers, 4/21).
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