Characteristics of current hospital-sponsored and nonhospital birth centers.

A. J. Khoury, L. Summers, C. S. Weisman

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

3 Scopus citations

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: (1) To describe contemporary birth centers in terms of the population served, organizational and financial characteristics, services provided, mission and philosophy, and planning and marketing techniques. (2) To compare hospital-sponsored and nonhospital models with regard to the above characteristics. METHOD: Data from the National Survey of Women's Health Centers conducted in 1994 are analyzed using t-tests and chi-square tests. RESULTS: Contemporary birth centers serve a diverse population of women and provide a range of clinical and nonclinical services. Birth centers are both hospital-sponsored and nonhospital, with the former growing at a faster rate. Compared to hospital-sponsored centers, nonhospital centers serve a larger proportion of uninsured women, provide a broader range of clinical services, and are more committed to women-centered care. Centers utilize different marketing methods and are involved in a number of organizational changes to better position themselves in the changing health care environment. CONCLUSIONS: Birth centers offer an attractive option to consumers and are a viable model for delivering women-centered care. Given that all "birth center" facilities do not share the same philosophy and service mix, women need to have some assurance of what a "birth center" will, and will not, provide.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)89-99
Number of pages11
JournalMaternal and child health journal
Volume1
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - Jun 1997

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Epidemiology
  • Pediatrics, Perinatology, and Child Health
  • Obstetrics and Gynecology
  • Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health

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