This study aimed to assess quality of obstetric care for preterm labor patients, using referents, indicators, and standards derived from scientific evidence, focusing on antenatal corticotherapy. Available metanalyses and randomized controlled trials were examined to establish referents, defining indicators and estimating process and outcome standards for the present study. Data from hospital discharge summaries of seven public maternity hospitals in Rio de Janeiro were analyzed. The standard of process used was 100%. It was not possible to estimate outcome standards, since the necessary adjustment for gestational age was not feasible. Utilization of antenatal corticotherapy in the present study was very low, about 4% and 2%, considering patients up to 33 weeks and 6 days and 36 weeks and 6 days, respectively. Failure to use antenatal corticotherapy when formally indicated deserves attention by health planners and managers, considering: a) the ease in incorporating such a technology, in contrast to the adequate incorporation of special/intensive neonatal care; b) benefits and costs associated with this technology compared to those of delivering neonatal care to premature babies.