Parrish Healthcare Recognized for exceeding the Healthy People 2030 Maternal and Child Health goal of reducing C-section births

Pictured L-R: Joseph A. Ladapo, MD, PhD, surgeon general of Florida; Melinda Hodges, RN, Manager, Women’s Services; Cara Starkey, APRN, Nurse Midwife and Jason Weida, AHCA

Improving safety and lowering cost by reducing the number of Caesarean sections (C-section) for first-time mothers with low risk of birth complications has earned Parrish Healthcare recognition from the state’s two top health care agencies.

Parrish was recognized by the Florida Department of Health (FDOH) and Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA) for achieving the federal Healthy People 2030 Maternal and Child Health goal of reducing C-sections for low-risk, first-time mothers. Melinda Hodges, RN, Manager, Women’s Services and Cara Starkey, APRN, Nurse Midwife, accepted the award presented by Joseph A. Ladapo, MD, PhD, surgeon general of Florida, and Jason Weida, AHCA secretary, Thursday, June 22, at the Florida Hospital Association Quality Conference.

“Over time, C-sections have become the most common surgery performed in the U.S., and federal and state regulatory and quality organizations have determined that a significant percentage of them aren’t needed,” said George Mikitarian, Parrish Healthcare president and CEO.

In some cases, C-sections are vital tools to protect the life and health of mothers and babies. However, unnecessary C-sections drive up costs and put women at risk for surgically-related complications. In 2021, the last year for which complete data is available, there were more than 1.1 million C-sections performed in the U.S., 32.1% of all deliveries, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Florida’s 2021 figure was 35.8% C-section rate, according to the CDC.

The Healthy People 2030 Maternal and Child Health program seeks to reduce the C-section rate to 23.6% of births among low-risk, first-time mothers. Parrish’s C-section rate was 17%, more than six points below the national goal.

While explaining the value of C-sections, the Healthy People 2030 website also describes the reasons for the focus on reducing C-section births, saying that C-sections can prevent injury and death in women who are at higher risk of complicated deliveries or have unexpected complications. C-sections can also prevent injury and death in their newborns. But C-sections are linked to increased risk of infections and blood clots, and many women who aren’t at higher risk for delivery complications get unnecessary C-sections. Various evidence-based strategies aimed at hospitals and health care providers can help reduce C-sections in low-risk women.

“Parrish’s best-practice, evidence-based approach to C-section deliveries has resulted in better care for women and their babies,” Mikitarian said.

“Surgery is a necessary and important thing, but in the case of C-sections, not all surgeries are necessary,” he said. “This award is a testimony to the work of Parrish’s Care Partners and our mission of Healing Experiences for Everyone All the Time®.”