To the Editor: The study by Robson and colleagues1 predictably produced alarming media headlines. However, we feel the study contains potential inaccuracies that seriously undermine the conclusion that the baby toll is lower in private hospitals.
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- 1 Royal Hospital for Women, Sydney, NSW.
- 2 University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW.
- 3 University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW.
- 4 University of Western Sydney, Sydney, NSW.
- 5 Sydney West Area Health Service, Sydney, NSW.
Correspondence: sallytracy@usyd.edu.au
- 1. Robson SJ, Laws P, Sullivan EA. Adverse outcomes of labour in public and private hospitals in Australia: a population-based descriptive study. Med J Aust 2009; 190: 474-477. <MJA full text>
- 2. Dahlen HG, Ryan M, Homer CS, Cooke M. An Australian prospective cohort study of risk factors for severe perineal trauma during childbirth. Midwifery 2007; 23: 196-203.
- 3. Roberts CL, Tracy S, Peat B. Rates for obstetric intervention among private and public patients in Australia: population based descriptive study. BMJ 2000; 321: 137-141.
- 4. Henderson-Smart DJ, Bajuk B, Abeywardana S. Admission of term neonates to special care and intensive care nurseries after elective caesarean section. A110 [abstract]. J Paediatr Child Health 2008; 4: A46.
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