StORQS: Washington's Statewide Obstetrical Review and Quality System: overview and provider evaluation

The Foundation for Health Care Quality (Washington) used three administrative public databases and indicators recommended by the Joint Commission and the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology to build algorithms to measure quality of obstetric care in the state of Washington. Analyses demonstrated a high degree of variability across hospitals for major processes of care such as cesarean section, vaginal birth after cesarean section, and forceps deliveries. Eighty-five percent of the participating hospitals concluded that important aspects of care were being measured. Ninety-four percent found the information useful in describing their performance compared with other hospitals. Sixty-two percent believed the information was useful for initiating quality improvement projects. Of the 25 indicators tested in the project, indicators rated as most useful were the same 10 obstetric indicators chosen by the Joint Commission after alpha testing.