Study: Hospitals Rated Top 5% Have Mortality Rates 27% Lower; 'Quality Chasm' Continues to Grow According to HealthGrades' Fourth Annual Hospital Quality and Clinical Excellence Study.GOLDEN, Colo. -- Distinguished Hospitals for Clinical Excellence Named; Free to Consumers at HealthGrades.com Patients checking into a hospital rated in the top five percent in the country have, on average, a 27 percent lower chance of mortality and a 14 percent lower risk of complications, according to according to prep. 1. As stated or indicated by; on the authority of: according to historians. 2. In keeping with: according to instructions. 3. a study released today by HealthGrades (Nasdaq: HGRD), the leading independent healthcare ratings company. The annual HealthGrades study identifies hospitals in the top five percent in the nation in terms of mortality and complication rates across 26 procedures and diagnoses, from bypass surgery Bypass surgery A surgical procedure that grafts blood vessels onto arteries to reroute the blood flow around blockages in the arteries (arteriosclerosis). to hip-replacement surgery. The study finds that 152,966 lives could have been saved, and 21,896 complications could have been avoided, if the quality of care at all hospitals matched the level of those in the top five percent. To name hospitals in the top five percent for clinical excellence, HealthGrades' fourth annual Hospital Quality and Clinical Excellence study analyzes nearly 39 million hospitalizations over the years 2002, 2003 and 2004 at all 5,122 of the nation's nonfederal hospitals. Those with the lowest mortality and complication rates are named Distinguished Hospitals for Clinical Excellence(TM). "The data in this year's study indicate a clear and profound divergence between the best hospitals and all others," said Samantha Collier, MD, HealthGrades' vice president of medical affairs. "HealthGrades applauds those hospitals that have operationalized excellence, ensuring that high-quality care is delivered not just in one or two categories of care, but across the board, from cardiac care to orthopedic surgery Orthopedic Surgery Definition Orthopedic (sometimes spelled orthopaedic) surgery is surgery performed by a medical specialist, such as an orthopedist or orthopedic surgeon, trained to deal with problems that develop in the bones, joints, and ligaments . But this growing 'quality chasm' is of concern to healthcare professionals and patients alike, and we urge all consumers, if possible, to do their homework before checking into a hospital." Individuals see how their local hospitals are rated, and if they have been designated Distinguished Hospitals for Clinical Excellence, for free at http://www.healthgrades.com. In comparing Distinguished Hospitals for Clinical Excellence with all other hospitals, the HealthGrades study finds: --On average, a 27 percent lower risk of mortality was experienced by Medicare patients at Distinguished Hospitals for Clinical Excellence in the following procedures and diagnoses: cardiac surgery Cardiac surgery is surgery on the heart and/or great vessels performed by a cardiac surgeon. Frequently, it is done to treat complications of ischemic heart disease (for example, coronary artery bypass grafting), correct congenital heart disease, or treat valvular heart disease , angioplasty and stent, heart attack, heart failure, atrial fibrillation atrial fibrillation Irregular rhythm (arrhythmia) of contraction of the atria (upper heart chambers). The most common major arrhythmia, it may result as a consequence of increased fibrous tissue in the aging heart, of heart disease, or in association with severe infection. , chronic obstructive pulmonary disease chronic obstructive pulmonary disease n. Abbr. COPD A chronic lung disease, such as asthma or emphysema, in which breathing becomes slowed or forced. , community-acquired pneumonia community-acquired pneumonia Pneumonia caused by an infection currently present in the community; CAP is the most common cause of infectious death–US, and number 6 killer overall; of the 57% of CAPs in which a pathogen is identified, S pneumoniae , stroke, abdominal aortic aneurysm abdominal aortic aneurysm A focal aortic dilation of ≥ 50% ↑ in diameter, accompanied by distension and weakened aortic wall Epidemiology Incidence is rising 12/105–1951; 36/105 repair, bowel obstruction Bowel obstruction A blockage in the intestine which prevents the normal flow of waste down the length of the intestine. Mentioned in: Anal Atresia, Diverticulosis and Diverticulitis bowel obstruction , gastrointestinal bleed, pancreatitis, diabetic acidosis diabetic acidosis n. See diabetic ketoacidosis. and coma, pulmonary embolism Pulmonary Embolism Definition Pulmonary embolism is an obstruction of a blood vessel in the lungs, usually due to a blood clot, which blocks a coronary artery. and sepsis. --For those same procedures and diagnoses, Distinguished Hospitals lowered their mortality rates over the years 2002, 2003 and 2004 at a 36 percent faster rate than all other hospitals. --Medicare patients had, on average, a 14 percent lower risk of post-operative complications at a Distinguished Hospital for Clinical Excellence for diagnoses and procedures that include orthopedic and neurosurgery neurosurgery /neu·ro·sur·gery/ (noor´o-sur?jer-e) surgery of the nervous system. neu·ro·sur·ger·y n. Surgery on any part of the nervous system. , vascular surgery, prostate surgery and gall bladder gall bladder, small pear-shaped sac that stores and concentrates bile. It is connected to the liver (which produces the bile) by the hepatic duct. When food containing fat reaches the small intestine, the hormone cholecystokinin is produced by cells in the intestinal surgery. --For those same procedures and diagnoses, Distinguished Hospitals improved their post-operative complication rates at a 40 percent faster rate than all other hospitals over the years 2002, 2003 and 2004. Methodology In its 2006 study, HealthGrades independently and objectively analyzed millions of Medicare patient records from fiscal years 2002, 2003 and 2004, for 26 medical procedures and diagnoses. To qualify for the list, hospitals were required to meet minimum thresholds in terms of patient volumes, quality ratings and the range of services provided. Prior to comparing the mortality and complication rates of the nation's hospitals, HealthGrades risk-adjusted the data, to compare on equal footing hospitals that treated sicker patients. Hospitals with risk-adjusted mortality and complication rates that scored in the top five percent or better nationally -- which demonstrates superior overall clinical performance -- were then recognized as Distinguished Hospitals for Clinical Excellence. HealthGrades' methodology is open and can be found in the study and on the company's Web site. About HealthGrades Health Grades, Inc. (Nasdaq: HGRD) is the leading healthcare ratings organization, providing ratings and profiles of hospitals, nursing homes and physicians to consumers, corporations, health plans and hospitals. Millions of consumers and hundreds of the nation's largest employers, health plans and hospitals rely on HealthGrades' independent ratings and decision-support resources to make healthcare decisions based on the quality of care. More information on the company can be found at http://www.healthgrades.com. HealthGrades(R) and Distinguished Hospitals for Clinical Excellence(TM) are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Health Grades, Inc. Editor's note: A full copy of the study is available at http://www.healthgrades.com or by contacting Scott Shapiro at sshapiro@healthgrades.com. |
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