Report Reveals Troubling Statistics About Maternal Fatality Rates
September 6, 2018
Considering the fact that the United States is one of the wealthiest countries in the world, you might assume that it also provides exceptional health care, particularly when it comes to prenatal care and child birthing. Unfortunately, that is not always the case. According to an investigation by USA Today, the United States is the most dangerous place for a woman to give birth, compared to other developed countries.
After studying maternal fatality rates over the past several decades, investigators found that there was a significant increase in the United States between 1990 and 2015. During the same time period, fatality rates went down in other developed nations. The report focused on two main categories of data, including the maternal fatality rate and the state of harm rate, which includes any complications that may have occurred either during the birth process, or shortly after.
How Maryland Compares to Other States
Based on the data that was available to reporters, which included fatality rates from 2012 to 2016, and harm rates from January to September 2016, the results were not encouraging for women who plan to give birth in the state of Maryland. Unfortunately, Maryland has the 24th highest maternal fatality rate and the sixth highest harm rate in the country. A team of health officials in Maryland have come together to review fatalities that occurred during child birth, including any complications that may have caused the fatality. The team looks at each case and assesses the medical care issues.
USA Today investigators reported the following key findings after reviewing Maryland’s maternal fatality review board:
- According to estimates, approximately 50 percent of the 700 maternal fatalities in the United States can be prevented, as well as half of the 50,000 maternal injuries, if the care provided was improved.
- Too many hospitals in the United States fail to perform basic, life-saving medical tasks.
- California stands out as one of the few states where the fatality rate has fallen. The health care practices in California are regarded as the gold standard of care.
- Regulators and oversight boards could be more proactive about requiring hospitals to make improvements in the care they provide.
- Reporters found that may of the women they interviewed said that they felt frustrated, angry, and powerless. They also felt that their healthcare providers were not prepared for emergency situations.
- It takes health care providers in the United States a long time to adopt new best practices.
Baltimore Medical Malpractice Lawyers at LeViness, Tolzman & Hamilton Advocate for Victims of Birth Injuries
If you lost a loved one during, or shortly after child birth, you are urged to contact the Baltimore medical malpractice lawyers at LeViness, Tolzman & Hamilton. We understand how devastating this kind of loss can be to you and your family. Our team will work tirelessly to determine who is responsible for your tragic loss and will hold the negligent parties responsible for their actions. We will seek the maximum financial compensation you deserve. For a free, confidential consultation, call us today at 800-547-4LAW (4529) or contact us online.
Our offices are located in Baltimore, Columbia, Glen Burnie, and Towson, allowing us to represent medical malpractice victims in Maryland, including those in Anne Arundel County, Baltimore County, Carroll County, Harford County, Howard County, Montgomery County, Maryland’s Western Counties, Prince George’s County, Queen Anne’s County, Southern Maryland, and the Eastern Shore, as well as the communities of Catonsville, Essex, Halethorpe, Middle River, Rosedale, Gwynn Oak, Brooklandville, Dundalk, Pikesville, Nottingham, Windsor Mill, Lutherville, Timonium, Sparrows Point, Ridgewood, and Elkridge.
