Rationalisation of the caesarean section rate in a tertiary referral hospital using the Robson classification

Abstract

The aim of this study was to implement the Robson Ten Groups Classification System (RTGCS) to identify the main contributors to the caesarean section (CS) rate and to evaluate whether the introduction of a plan of obstetrical interventions reduced this rate. An observational retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted during two time periods at Alicante University General Hospital. In the pre-implementation period (2009–2012), RTGCS was applied to identify the main groups contributing to the overall CS rate. In the post-implementation period (2013–2017), RTGCS was applied again to identify changing trends in CS rates. In all, 11,034 deliveries during the pre-intervention period and 11,453 during the post-intervention period were analysed. The overall CS rate was 23.9% and 20.9%, respectively. There were no changes in perinatal outcomes. In the post-intervention period, there was a significant decrease of the CS rate in the groups of targeted interventions 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 8B.

Impact statement

• What is already known on this subject? High CS rates are becoming a public health problem because of risks, costs, excessive medicalisation, and abuse of resources. RTGCS provides a framework for auditing and analysing CS rates.

• What do the results of this study add? RTGCS can identify the groups that have the greatest impact on the CS rate and monitor changes in it consequent to policy changes.

• What are the implications of these findings for clinical practice? The introduction of a strategic plan with evidence-based clinical interventions may have a greater effect on the CS rate than other features justifying the increase in the incidence of CS.

Keywords:

• General obstetrics
• intrapartum care
• caesarean section
• delivery
• induction of labour
• breech presentation

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.