The pending buyer of Christ Hospital, Prime Healthcare Services, recently received an acclaimed recognition by Thomson Reuters, the world’s leading source of information. Prime Healthcare was recognized as one of the 15 Top Health Systems in the nation based on quality of care, efficiency and patient satisfaction. This is the second time in four years that Prime Healthcare has earned the national distinction. Prime Healthcare was recognized as a Top 10 Health System in 2009 by Thomson Reuters in its first-ever landmark study of health systems based on quality and efficiency. Prime Healthcare is the only health system to receive this coveted recognition on the West Coast.
According to Thomson Reuters, compared to its peers, Prime Healthcare saved more lives, caused fewer patient complications, made fewer medical errors, followed recommended standards of care more closely, released patients half a day sooner on average and scored better on patient satisfaction surveys. “This prestigious recognition speaks volumes to Prime Healthcare’s commitment to its core values of providing high-quality and cost-effective health care delivery to the residents of their communities,” said Peter A. Kelly, President and CEO of Christ Hospital.
Among 321 health systems, 2,194 hospitals and over 8 million patient discharges included in the study, Prime Healthcare was among those that had a 24.4 percent lower mortality than was expected, 14.5 percent fewer medical complications, 31.7 percent fewer adverse patient safety incidents, the lowest readmission rates and higher percentage of patients who reported having a better overall hospital experience than comparable hospitals. Prime Healthcare ranked higher than the other 21 health systems in California and the more than 30 other health systems on the West Coast.
“Selection for the 15 Top Health Systems award is based solely on unbiased statistical results,” said Jean Chenoweth, senior vice president of performance improvement at Thomson Reuters. “Because we rely on objective measurement derived from public data and peer-reviewed methods, health systems may not apply or pay for consideration in this study.” Prime Healthcare’s hospitals were recognized numerous times in the past by various renowned national benchmarking organizations for their quality and efficiency of patient care. The independent Thomson Reuters 15 Top Health Systems recognition is the only study of its kind that aggregates individual hospital performance into system-level data across the nation.
The published study that is based on Medicare data of 2009, 2010 and 2011 takes into consideration 12 patient care metrics. Prime Healthcare was the largest system with thirteen hospitals compared to the peer group of two to five hospitals in the study, which underscores its system-wide implementation and adherence to the best practice guidelines of quality patient care.
“We are confident that Prime Healthcare will continue to maintain this same measure of quality here at Christ Hospital when the sale is finalized,” stated Mr. Kelly.
Prime Healthcare hospitals that were included in this study were Centinela Regional Medical Center, Chino Valley Medical Center, Desert Valley Hospital, Encino Hospital Medical Center, Garden Grove Medical Center, Huntington Beach Hospital, La Palma Intercommunity Hospital, Montclair Hospital Medical Center, Paradise Valley Hospital, San Dimas Community Hospital, Shasta Regional Medical Center, Sherman Oaks Hospital and West Anaheim Medical Center.