Quality study again gives Mercy high mark
By Dave Dreeszen, Journal business editor | Posted: Monday, October 15, 2007
SIOUX CITY -- Mercy Medical Center-Sioux City ranked No. 1 in Iowa in six specialty care areas, according to a new study being released today.
Mercy received 2008 ''Specialty Excellence'' awards in six categories -- cardiac care, coronary interventional procedures, vascular surgery, orthopedic surgery, joint replacement, and general surgery -- from HealthGrades, an independent health care ratings system. Mercy is the only Iowa hospital to receive all six recognitions for excellence.
The medical center also is the state's only hospital to receive the Vascular Surgery Excellence Award three years in a row, and the only healthcare facility in the state to be recognized with the 2008 Orthopedic Surgery Excellence Award. In addition, this marks the fourth straight year Mercy has ranked first in the state for coronary interventional procedures. Mercy is also rated best in Northwestern Iowa for general surgery.
"The six new awards and several number one rankings in the state are a testament to the quality of care delivered by our staff members and physician partners,'' said Paul Dougherty, the hospital's president and CEO. "They have willfully and carefully created a culture of excellence that is dedicated to faith-inspired service and healing."
The HealthGrades awards will be formally presented to Mercy's leaders and staff members at 1 p.m. Tuesday in the hospital's South Lobby.
According to the 10th annual HealthGrades "Hospital Quality in America Study," Mercy ranks among the top 10 percent nationally for overall cardiac services, and vascular surgery. Mercy ranks in the top 5 percent of the nation's hospitals for orthopedic surgery and general surgery.
The study, the largest of its kind, analyzed Medicare discharges at virtually all of the nation's 5,000 hospitals from 2004-2006. Risk-adjusted mortality and complication rates were calculated and hospitals were assigned a one-star (poor), three-star (as expected), or five-star (best) quality rating for 28 diagnoses and procedures from heart failure to hip replacement to pneumonia.
Mercy received five-star ratings for patient outcomes in cardiology services, coronary bypass surgery, coronary interventional procedures, carotid surgery, total knee replacement, total hip replacement, hip fracture repair, back and neck surgery without spinal fusion, appendectomy, and cholecystectomy, also known as gall bladder surgery.
For more on HealthGrades study and ratings, check out: www.healthgrades.com. The organization's Web site is designed to help individuals research and compare local healthcare providers.
Mercy received 2008 ''Specialty Excellence'' awards in six categories -- cardiac care, coronary interventional procedures, vascular surgery, orthopedic surgery, joint replacement, and general surgery -- from HealthGrades, an independent health care ratings system. Mercy is the only Iowa hospital to receive all six recognitions for excellence.
The medical center also is the state's only hospital to receive the Vascular Surgery Excellence Award three years in a row, and the only healthcare facility in the state to be recognized with the 2008 Orthopedic Surgery Excellence Award. In addition, this marks the fourth straight year Mercy has ranked first in the state for coronary interventional procedures. Mercy is also rated best in Northwestern Iowa for general surgery.
"The six new awards and several number one rankings in the state are a testament to the quality of care delivered by our staff members and physician partners,'' said Paul Dougherty, the hospital's president and CEO. "They have willfully and carefully created a culture of excellence that is dedicated to faith-inspired service and healing."
The HealthGrades awards will be formally presented to Mercy's leaders and staff members at 1 p.m. Tuesday in the hospital's South Lobby.
According to the 10th annual HealthGrades "Hospital Quality in America Study," Mercy ranks among the top 10 percent nationally for overall cardiac services, and vascular surgery. Mercy ranks in the top 5 percent of the nation's hospitals for orthopedic surgery and general surgery.
The study, the largest of its kind, analyzed Medicare discharges at virtually all of the nation's 5,000 hospitals from 2004-2006. Risk-adjusted mortality and complication rates were calculated and hospitals were assigned a one-star (poor), three-star (as expected), or five-star (best) quality rating for 28 diagnoses and procedures from heart failure to hip replacement to pneumonia.
Mercy received five-star ratings for patient outcomes in cardiology services, coronary bypass surgery, coronary interventional procedures, carotid surgery, total knee replacement, total hip replacement, hip fracture repair, back and neck surgery without spinal fusion, appendectomy, and cholecystectomy, also known as gall bladder surgery.
For more on HealthGrades study and ratings, check out: www.healthgrades.com. The organization's Web site is designed to help individuals research and compare local healthcare providers.
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Get a grip wrote on Oct 15, 2007 6:10 PM: