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Objectives. We examined trends in maternal comorbidities in California. Methods. We conducted a retrospective cohort study of 1 551 017 California births using state-linked vital statistics and hospital discharge cohort data for 1999, 2002, and 2005. We used International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification codes to identify the following conditions, some of which were preexisting: maternal hypertension, diabetes, asthma, thyroid disorders, obesity, mental health conditions, substance abuse, and tobacco use. We estimated prevalence rates with hierarchical logistic regression models, adjusting for demographic shifts, and also examined racial/ethnic disparities. Results. The prevalence of these comorbidities increased over time for hospital admissions associated with childbirth, suggesting that pregnant women are getting sicker. Racial/ethnic disparities were also significant. In 2005, maternal hypertension affected more than 10% of all births to non-Hispanic Black mothers; maternal diabetes affected nearly 10% of births to Asian/Pacific Islander mothers (10% and 43% increases, respectively, since 1999). Chronic hypertension, diabetes, obesity, mental health conditions, and tobacco use among Native American women showed the largest increases. Conclusions. The prevalence of maternal comorbidities before and during pregnancy has risen substantially in California and demonstrates racial/ethnic disparity independent of demographic shifts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVE: Predictive models for falls, injury falls, and restraint prevalence were explored within nursing unit structures and processes of care. BACKGROUND: The patient care team is responsible for patient safety, and improving practice models may prevent injuries and improve patient safety. METHODS: Using unit-level self-reported data from 215 hospitals, falls, injury falls, and restraint prevalence were modeled with significant covariates as predictors. RESULTS: Fewer falls/injury falls were predicted by populations with fewer frail and at-risk patients, more unlicensed care hours, and prevention protocol implementation, but not staffing per se, restraint use, or RN expertise. Lower restraint use was predicted by fewer frail patients, shorter length of stay, more RN hours, more certified RNs, and implementation of fall prevention protocols. CONCLUSION: In the presence of risk, patient injuries and safety were improved by optimizing staffing skill mix and use of prevention protocols. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]