Maternal morbidity scoring tool improves comparison efforts

California researchers have developed a system for classifying serious maternal complications during hospitalization for childbirth. The system can be used to compare severe maternal morbidity rates across hospitals and other patient populations, according to a study reported in the September issue of Obstetrics & Gynecology. “These scores can be applied in any maternity patient discharge data set with ICD-10-CM diagnosis and procedure codes and may be a useful tool for maternal health research and quality improvement efforts,” the authors said. The National Institutes of Health provided funding for the study. (Obstetrics & Gynecology Journal article, 8/6/20)