America's 50 best hospitals 2008 released by HealthGrades

• Bowel Obstruction

• Carotid Surgery

• Cholecystectomy

• Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)

• Coronary Bypass Surgery

• Coronary Interventional Procedures (Angioplasty and Stents)

• Diabetic Acidosis and Coma

• Gastrointestinal Bleed

• Gastrointestinal Surgeries and Procedures

• Heart Attack

• Heart Failure

• Hip Fracture Repair

• Pancreatitis

• Peripheral Vascular Bypass

• Pneumonia

• Prostatectomy

• Pulmonary Embolism

• Resection/Replacement of Abdominal Aorta

• Respiratory Failure

• Sepsis

• Stroke

• Total Hip Replacement

• Total Knee Replacement

• Valve Replacement Surgery
  
  

Methodology

In this analysis, HealthGrades independently and objectively analyzed approximately 100 million Medicare patient records from fiscal years 1999 through 2006 for 27 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 inhospital 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.

Hospitals that received that designation the most consecutive times over the last six years were named HealthGrades America’s 50 Best Hospitals. HealthGrades’ methodology can be found in the study and on the company’s Web site. (Each of the six designations was based on three years of Medicare data, so eight years of data were studied.)

HealthGrades makes available to the public, at no charge, the quality ratings of every nonfederal hospital in the country at http://www.healthgrades.com.

About HealthGrades

Health Grades, Inc. (Nasdaq: HGRD) is the leading healthcare ratings organization, providing ratings and profiles of hospitals, nursing homes and physicians. Millions of consumers and many 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.

http://www.eurekalert.org/images/release_graphics/pdf/Americas50BestHospitals2008Report_Embargoed.pdf