The use of standardized neonatal mortality ratios to assess the quality of perinatal care in Colorado.

Neonatal mortality in Colorado in the 3-year period 1977-1979 has been analyzed by means of standardized neonatal mortality ratios derived from birth weight-specific mortality for every obstetric facility. The standardized neonatal mortality ratios adjusted for the percentage of neonatal deaths due to untreatable disorders are presented as one possible method for comparing the neonatal outcome in obstetric populations of dissimilar risk. We have suggested that facilities with adjusted standardized neonatal mortality ratios significantly above 1 are those that might benefit from an in-depth review of perinatal services.