Countywide : Crisis in Obstetrics Care Forecast in ’90

Due to rising birth rates, population growth and lack of Medi-Cal services for poor women, obstetrical services in Orange County will be inadequate by the end of next year, according to two independent surveys released Tuesday.

This year, 49,239 babies were born in Orange County, compared to 44,948 in 1988. At that rate, 54,000 babies will be born in a county whose 45 hospitals have capacity for only 52,500, said S. Russell Inglish, director of the Orange County regional office of the Hospital Council of Southern California.

At that time, he said, “We’ll either be functioning in non-safe conditions at times, or we’ll have to find alternate sources for delivery.”

One survey of hospital capacity, conducted in September by the Hospital Council, found that participating hospitals used 82% of their obstetrical beds, 2% over the recommended ratio.

Another study, also conducted in September, found eight county hospitals now over delivery capacity, six at delivery capacity and 11 below capacity. The study was conducted by MPH and Associates at the UCLA School of Public Health and Medical Planning Associates of Malibu. It was commissioned by the Orange County March of Dimes and the Orange County Perinatal Council.

Health officials said they were also concerned about the lack of adequate Medi-Cal coverage in the county for pregnant women. Nine hospitals offer Medi-Cal coverage for obstetrical patients.

The future situation parallels that of last summer when pregnant women in labor were diverted to the overcrowded UCI Medical Center, which turned them away, Inglish said.

The Hospital Council’s survey found nine hospitals willing to contract with Medi-Cal for obstetrical services only, but he said Medi-Cal has a policy of not entering into single-service contracts.

“State Medi-Cal policies are insufficient to meet the increasing needs of women who require childbirth services,” Inglish said. Medi-Cal officials were unreachable for comment.