HOUSTON (June 21, 2013) – Memorial Hermann this week announced that several of its hospitals have again been recognized for superior care in Women’s Health Services as measured by Healthgrades, the leading online resource that helps consumers search, evaluate, compare and connect with physicians and hospitals.
“We couldn’t be more pleased that our hospitals have again been recognized for providing the highest quality of gynecologic surgery and maternity care,” said M. Michael Shabot, Chief Medical Officer for Memorial Hermann. “Our goal is perfect care for our patients and these HealthGrades awards are continued evidence we are succeeding in this mission.”
Collectively, Memorial Hermann Northwest Hospital, Memorial Hermann Southeast Hospital, Memorial Hermann Southwest Hospital and Memorial Hermann The Woodlands Hospital, as well as Memorial Hermann Katy Hospital and Memorial Hermann Memorial City Medical Center received the 2013 Gynecologic Surgery Excellence Award.
Gynecologic surgery includes surgery on the female reproductive system to treat benign tumors, cancer, infertility, incontinence, and various other conditions. Hysterectomy accounted for the majority (75.4%) of all procedures evaluated. To help consumers evaluate and compare hospital performance in gynecologic surgery, Healthgrades analyzed patient outcome data provided by 18 individual states for years 2009 through 2011. Developing the Healthgrades Gynecologic Surgery ratings involved four steps:
- First, the predicted value (predicted complications) was obtained using a logistic regression mode.
- Second, the predicted value was compared with the actual or observed number of complications.
- Third, a test was conducted to determine whether the difference between the predicted and actual values was statistically significant.
- Fourth, hospital performance was stratified into one of three performance categories.
“Hospitals achieved this distinction by providing better than expected outcomes in gynecologic surgery over an extended period of time,” said Brad Bowman, M.D., Chief Medical Officer, Healthgrades. “Women can expect a commitment to exceptional clinical quality care in gynecological surgery when selecting among Healthgrades 2013 Gynecologic Surgery Excellence Award recipients.”
Likewise, Memorial Hermann Northwest, Memorial Hermann Southeast, Memorial Hermann Southwest and Memorial Hermann The Woodlands, as well as Memorial Hermann Sugar Land Hospital received the Healthgrades 2013 Maternity Care Excellence Award.
To help consumers evaluate and compare hospital performance in maternity care, Healthgrades analyzed patient outcome data for virtually every hospital in the 18 states that provide all-payer state data for years 2009 through 2011. Maternity Care ratings are based on the analysis and equal weighting of the following factors:
- Maternal complication rate among women undergoing vaginal deliveries
- Maternal complication rate among women undergoing C-sections
- Number of newborn deliveries adjusted for low birth weight
- Newborn risk-adjusted mortality
“Hospital complication, birth rate and newborn mortality rates are important pieces of quality information that all women should be aware of when they are making their decision about how and where to deliver their baby,” added Dr. Bowman. “Patients can rest assured that those hospitals recognized as a Healthgrades 2013 Maternity Care Excellence Award recipient have demonstrated an established commitment to maternal care.”
Memorial Hermann continues to achieve recognition for its safe, high-quality patient care. In April, the health system was named one of the top 15 health systems in the nation – cited for its exceptional patient safety and quality performance – by Truven Health Analytics.
The Top 15 Health Systems recognition came on the heels of the National Quality Forum (NQF) and The Joint Commission naming Memorial Hermann the 2012 recipient of the John M. Eisenberg Patient Safety and Quality Award, considered the “Oscar” of healthcare safety and quality. Memorial Hermann was the first Texas hospital system ever recognized with the Eisenberg Award, and the only health system or hospital ever to be the recipient of both the NQF National Quality Healthcare Award (2009) and the Eisenberg Award at the National Level.
For additional details on the methodology for the gynecologic and maternity care awards and to see the complete Healthgrades Women’s Health Report 2013: ‘Lean In’ When Making Healthcare Decisions to Get Your Best Outcome, visit: www.healthgrades.com/quality.
