Study Indicates Need for More Obstetric Quality of Care Measures at Hospitals

In an analysis of data on more than 100,000 deliveries and term newborns from New York City hospitals, rates for certain quality indicators and complications for mothers and newborns varied substantially between hospitals and were not correlated with performance measures designed to assess hospital-level obstetric quality of care, according to a study in the October 15 issue of JAMA.

Severe maternal complications occurs in about 60,000 women (1.6 per 100 deliveries) annually in the United States, and 1 in 10 term infants experience neonatal complications. In an effort to improve the quality of care, several obstetric-specific quality measures are now monitored and publicly reported. The extent to which these measures are associated with maternal and neonatal complications has not been known, according to background information in the article.

Elizabeth A. Howell, M.D., M.P.P., of the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, and colleagues used New York City discharge and birth certificate data sets from 2010 to determine whether two Joint Commission obstetric quality indicators (elective, nonmedically indicated deliveries performed at 37 weeks or more of gestation and prior to 39 weeks and cesarean deliveries performed in low-risk women) were associated with severe maternal or neonatal complications. Published algorithms were used to identify severe maternal complications (delivery associated with a life-threatening complication or performance of a lifesaving procedure) and complications in term newborns without birth defects (births associated with complications such as birth trauma, hypoxia [a lower-than-normal concentration of oxygen in arterial blood], and prolonged length of stay).

Severe maternal complications occurred among 2,372 of 115,742 deliveries (2.4 percent), and neonatal complications occurred among 8,057 of 103,416 term newborns without birth defects (7.8 percent). Rates for elective deliveries performed before 39 weeks of gestation ranged from 15.5 to 41.9 per 100 deliveries among 41 hospitals. There were 11.7 to 39.3 cesarean deliveries per 100 deliveries performed in low-risk mothers. Severe maternal complication rates varied 4- to 5-fold between hospitals, and there was a 7-fold variation in neonatal complications at term between hospitals.

The maternal quality indicators of elective delivery before 39 weeks of gestation and cesarean delivery performed in low-risk mothers were not associated with severe maternal or neonatal complications.

“Current quality indicators may not be sufficiently comprehensive for guiding quality improvement in obstetric care,” the authors conclude.
(doi:10.1001/jama.2014.13381)

Infection Prevention and Antibiotics

Healthy Food Movement for Kids!

Kid inspired Eat a Rainbow Collection is set to kick off at Whole Foods Market this Friday with a paint party and cooking demo by celeb kid chefs.

My Social Canvas is a bright new contender in the world of stylish lifestyle brands that give back. All products are designed by students for a cause. Their student designers range from age 7 to college students ready to start a career in fashion. This fall, they are supporting the healthy eating movement by teaming up with Whole Foods Market to launch their Eat A Rainbow Collection of fun and educational lunch bags and grocery totes. Starting Friday and running through the end of September, they'll be hosting an "Eat a Rainbow" paint party tour at over 15 Whole Foods Market stores in NYC and other areas of the Northeast. These events are set to inspire kids to eat healthy salads everyday and will feature paint activities and informational cooking demos by celebrity kid chefs Haile Thomas and Hunter Zampa (both season one contestants on the Food Network's  Rachael Ray v. Guy Fieri Kids Cook-Off.)

The Eat a Rainbow Collection was inspired by seven-year-old Jimmy T. who exclaimed: "Rainbows make people happy! Eating salads that are bright and colorful make us healthy. Eat a rainbow everyday!" He couldn't have been more right as it's been proven that vibrantly hued fruits and vegetables are high in important vitamins and minerals. At the upcoming launch parties, kids will have a chance to paint their own ideas of what their rainbow might include and will learn tips and a recipe for their very own rainbow salads.

With the purchase of every bag from this series, folks are supporting the Let's Move Salad Bars to School grant program that was developed by the Whole Kids Foundation, Chef Ann Foundation, National Fruit and Vegetable Alliance, and the United Fresh Produce Association Foundation in support of First Lady Michelle Obama's Let's Move! Initiative. This program is dedicated to bringing healthier choices of fresh produce into schools across the nation. These stylish bags will be selling at all 30 Whole Foods Market stores in the Northeast region.

D'Vida Pre-Made Smoothies, the 100% natural & low calorie meal replacement/snack!

Everyone is looking for a simple fast and healthy meal replacement or snack.   Now-a-days most products that are easy are loaded with preservatives and ingredients that most people can't read.  

Whether you're looking for a post workout drink, trying to slim down, or you're simply just looking for a healthy breakfast/lunch/snack, the d'Vida pre-made smoothies are LOW-GI, HIGH PROTEIN and non-GMO, the perfect addition to your pantry!

D'Vida offers pre-made smoothie sachets that are not only quick and easy to make, but are also healthy and nutritious! The d'Vida sachets begin with a proprietary, LOW-GI smoothie base, with all-natural ingredients and only the freshest fruits and vegetables. All products are non-GMO, gluten free and act as an excellent source of fiber and protein. 

D'Vida makes great party drinks as well.  If you love Pina Coladas, your guest will rave over the VideBOOST (Pineapple and Coconut) with fresh strawberries and bananas.   These Pina Coladas would make a great drink for bookclub, baby shower or throw them in a mug and drink them while watching your favorite football team play.  

These smoothies are so easy to make.  Open a sachet and add ice and water and blend.  For a different flavor or for more of a variety add your favorite fruit.  

I recently tried D'Vida Pre-made smoothies.  I was actually impressed with the flavor, it actually tasted like the real stuff.  I decided when I tried the smoothies to opt out of adding any ingredients to my drink so I could get the pouches original flavors.   I was very impressed.  I didn't feel like I needed to add anything.  You may enjoy adding more ingredients to get more fruit and vegetable servings but it isn't necessary.  My absolute favorite smoothie was the VidaBOOST which consists of pineapple and coconut.  There were actual coconut flakes in it.  It was amazing.  When I had finished drinking it I wished I could open another because the flavor was so good.   It did in fact leave me feeling fuller and better.  I drank it after exercising and found it helped give me another boost and left me feeling satisfied.


I was also impressed with D'Vida's different options.  You can purchase D'Vida VidaBOOST (pineapple and coconut),  VidaGREEN (cucumber, kale, green apple and spinach), VidaPUMP (Peanut butter and strawberry) and VidaSLIM (strawberry and banana).  Drink a smoothie based on your needs for the day and what you are trying to accomplish for your health.

D'Vida has also made purchasing simple and easy.   It is available to order on Amazon.   Grab yours today and start on a path to a better you.  

Review By A.H -Mom of 4