Memorial Hospital named in 50 Top Cardiovascular Hospitals study

SOUTH BEND, IN – Memorial Hospital of South Bend was recently named one of the nation’s 50 Top Cardiovascular Hospitals by IBM Watson Health.

IBM Watson Health recently released the 50 Top Cardiovascular Hospitals 2018 study. The annual study, conducted by Truven Health Analytics, now part of IBM Watson Health, identifies the top U.S. hospitals for inpatient cardiovascular services. The study uses a balanced national scorecard of hospital performance metrics to identify the highest performing cardiovascular service lines in the nation.

“Being selected as Watson’s Top 50 Cardiovascular Hospital is indicative of the collaboration between Memorial Hospital and the Heart, Vascular and Stroke Care Co-management Network,” said Catherine Bringedahl, MS, RCIS, Executive Director, Cardiovascular Services, Memorial Hospital of South Bend. “Our cardiologists, interventional radiologists and surgeons are committed to providing evidence-based, high-quality care to our patients in this community.”

This is the third time Memorial Hospital of South Bend has been named one of the 50 Top Cardiovascular Hospitals. The study has been conducted annually since 1999.

The  Watson Health 50 Top Cardiovascular Hospitals study measures attainment in key performance areas: risk-adjusted inpatient mortality, risk-adjusted complications, percentage of coronary bypass patients with internal mammary artery use, 30-day mortality rates, 30-day readmission rates, severity-adjusted average length of stay, wage- and severity-adjusted average cost per case and, new this year, CMS 30-day episode payment measures.

To determine the 50 top U.S. hospitals for heart care, IBM Watson Health researchers analyzed 2015 and 2016 Medicare Provider Analysis and Review (MEDPAR) data, 2016 Medicare cost reports and Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Hospital Compare July 1, 2013-June 30, 2016 data.

The winning hospitals were announced in Modern Healthcare magazine.

The study and subsequent analysis of the positive variances these leading cardiovascular service hospitals show, indicate an opportunity for a broader national impact for cardiovascular patients, should these results be replicated. In fact, if all cardiovascular providers in the U.S. performed at the level of this year’s winners:

• Nearly 8,900 additional lives could be saved.
• Nearly 3,700 more bypass and angioplasty patients could be complication-free.
• More than $1.4 billion could be saved.

This study is part of the Watson Health 100 Top Hospitals program. All of these studies use rigorous processes to calculate and measure hospital service lines, leveraging industry-leading, risk-adjusted methodologies developed and maintained by IBM Watson Health scientists over many years. The 100 Top Hospitals study is widely regarded as the leading program for evaluating leadership impact in a hospital, as well as for evaluating quality indicators and efficiencies.

More information on this study and other 100 Top Hospitals research is available at 100tophospitals.com.

About the 50 Top Cardiovascular Hospitals Report and the 100 Top Hospitals Program

The Watson Health 50 Top Cardiovascular Hospitals study is available at 100tophospitals.com. It is published once a year in November. Hospitals may also request customized benchmark reports and comparative analysis on the 50 Top Cardiovascular Hospitals by contacting (616) 248-4645 or visiting 100tophospitals.com.

Since 1993, the Watson Health 100 Top Hospitals program has used independent and objective research to guide hospital and health system performance. Organizations do not apply or pay for this honor, or pay to promote their award. Award-winning hospitals and health systems prove that better care is possible and provide an example for other organizations to follow across the industry. The 100 Top Hospitals award winners demonstrate top performance on both how patients are cared for under clinical measures and how the hospital performs as an efficient business. Visit 100tophospitals.com for more information.

About Beacon Health System

As the largest, locally owned and operated health care system in the region Beacon Health System is the region’s most trusted partner and guide in creating and maintain health. Elkhart General Hospital, Memorial Hospital of South Bend, Beacon Children’s Hospital and Beacon Medical Group are powered by more than 7,000 associates and 1,000 physicians who provide the best care possible to people of all ages. Beacon is also a research and education organization, guiding clinical research trials and helping train medical residents in the fields of family medicine and hospital pharmacy.