Wednesday, October 20, 2010
Mississippi Baptist Medical Centerisamong the top 5% in the nation in Overall Orthopedic Services, Joint Replacement, Vascular Surgery, Prostatectomy, Overall GI Services, and GI Surgery according to a comprehensive annual study released today by HealthGrades, the leading independent healthcare ratings organization. The HealthGrades study analyzes tens of millions of patients' outcomes - specifically, mortality and complication rates - at the nation's 5,000 hospitals.
Patients highly value independent information on hospital quality performance. And in light of recent health reform measures, demand for this information is only likely to increase. In a recent survey of visitors to HealthGrades.com related to hospital quality, 94% ranked quality outcomes and ratings as very important compared to reputation (89%), volume (78%), and location (58%). Mississippi Baptist Medical Center stands committed to a culture of quality and transparency and is proud of the results that it's Orthopedic, Vascular, Prostatectomy, and Gastrointestinal programs has achieved.
Along with ranking in the top 5% in the nation for Overall Orthopedic Services, Joint Replacement, Vascular Surgery, Prostatectomy, Overall GI Services, and GI Surgery Mississippi Baptist Medical Center achieved other notable HealthGrades recognitions and awards, including:
ü Overall Orthopedic Services
ü Joint Replacement (3 years in a row 2009-2011)
ü Spine Surgery
ü Total Knee Replacement (3 years in a row 2009-2011)
ü Total Hip Replacement
ü Back & Neck Surgery (except Spinal Fusion)
ü Vascular Surgery
ü Repair of Abdominal Aorta
ü Carotid Surgery (9 years in a row 2003-2011)
ü Prostatectomy (8 years in a row 2004-2011)
ü GI Surgery (7 years in a row 2005-2011)
ü Treatment of Bowel Obstruction (2 years in a row 2010-2011)
ü Cholecystectomy (7 years in a row 2005-2011)
"We are very pleased and proud to be recognized with these outstanding HealthGrade quality ratings. This study validates Baptist's commitment to clinical excellence," said Baptist Chief Medical Officer Eric McVey, MD. "Our successes are made possible because of our team approach, which integrates our clinical staff with our dedicated medical staff."
According to the Thirteenth Annual HealthGrades Hospital Quality in America study top-rated hospitals had a 53% lower mortality rate than the U.S. national average for 17 procedures and diagnoses ranging from bypass surgery to treatment for heart attack. When the top-rated hospitals were compared to the poorest performers, there was an even greater quality gap: a 72% lower risk of mortality.
Baptist defines quality in a variety of ways including clinical quality of care, credentials, and patient experience. Patients might see quality as the cleanliness of the facility or convenient parking. Both are important. In this case, Baptist defines quality by how the organization treats illnesses and measures outcomes.
The new 2011 HealthGrades hospital ratings were posted today, and are free to the public, at www.healthgrades.com.
HealthGrades Hospital Quality Ratings
HealthGrades' hospital ratings and awards reflect the track record of patient outcomes at hospitals in the form of mortality and complication rates. HealthGrades rates hospitals independently based on data that hospitals submit to the federal government. No hospital can opt in or out of being rated, and no hospital pays to be rated.
For 26 procedures and treatments, HealthGrades issues star ratings that reflect the mortality and complication rates for each category of care. Hospitals receiving a 5-star rating have mortality or complication rates that are below the national average, to a statistically significant degree. A 3-star rating means the hospital performs as expected. One-star ratings indicate the hospital's mortality or complication rates in that procedure or treatment are statistically higher than average. Because the risk profiles of patient populations at hospitals are not alike, HealthGrades risk-adjusts the data to allow for equal comparisons.
More information on today's HealthGrades study, including the complete methodology, can be found at www.healthgrades.com.
About Mississippi Baptist Medical Center
Baptist Health Systems is the parent company of Baptist Medical Center, The Mississippi Hospital for Restorative Care and a number of related healthcare services and programs. From its beginnings in 1911, Baptist has grown to include a 564-bed medical center, along with a variety of health and medical services for people in every stage of life. Through the decades, Baptist has continued to provide quality, compassionate Christian-based medical care to the people of Mississippi.
