Healthgrades has named its recipients of the 2019 Women's Care Awards, which recognizes hospitals "that demonstrate exceptional outcomes and excel in women's health care services."

Get ready-to-use slides on women's health market trends for 2019

About the awards

For the awards, Healthgrades analyzed all-payer patient outcome data available in 15 states from 2015 through 2017. The Women's Care Awards encompass three different awards:

• The Obstetrics and Gynecology Excellence Award;
• The Labor and Delivery Excellence Award; and
• The Gynecologic Surgery Excellence Award.

Obstetrics and Gynecology Excellence Award

For the Obstetrics and Gynecology Excellence Award, Healthgrades evaluated 630 qualifying hospitals across 15 states and presented 64 hospitals with the award. The award recognizes hospitals for "exceptional clinical outcomes while caring for women in childbirth, as well as during and after gynecologic surgeries and procedures," according to Healthgrades.

An evaluation by Healthgrades found that patients treated at hospitals winning this award had a 33.4% lower risk of experiencing a complication in the hospital than patients treated at hospitals that didn't receive the award.

Labor and Delivery Excellence Award

The Labor and Delivery Excellence Award recognizes the top 10% of hospitals "evaluated for the exceptional care provided to mothers during and after labor and delivery." For the award, Healthgrades evaluated 1,035 eligible hospitals across 15 states and presented 104 hospitals with the award.

Healthgrades also found that patients treated in hospitals winning the Labor and Delivery Excellence Award had a 39.2% lower risk, on average, of experiencing a complication in the hospital than at hospitals that did not receive the award.

Gynecologic Surgery Excellence Award

For the Gynecologic Surgery Excellence Award, Healthgrades evaluated 699 eligible hospitals across 15 states and presented the award to 70 hospitals, representing the top 10% of hospitals. Winners were recognized for "outstanding performance in gynecologic surgery, including hysterectomy and surgery related to the female reproductive system."

Healthgrades' evaluation found that patients treated in hospitals winning the award had a 43.5% lower risk, on average, of experiencing a complication in the hospital than at hospitals not winning the award.

Healthgrades report on trends in women's care

Alongside the awards, Healthgrades published a report exploring three trends affecting the women's care service line. Healthgrades found that:

1. Women are having children later than ever;
2. Complex pregnancies are on the rise, which is challenging providers; and
3. Women are living longer and experiencing more chronic conditions.

Brad Bowman, CMO of Healthgrades, said "As the person most often in charge of health care decisions for themselves and their families, women are seeking providers that understand their needs and preferences and demonstrate excellence in women's care. By accessing information on hospital quality and outcomes and understanding how Healthgrades' 2019 Women's Care Award recipients stand out from the rest, women can be empowered to make more informed decisions when it comes to selecting a hospital" (Bean, Becker's Hospital Review, 7/31; Healthgrades release, 7/30).