The Joint Commission names HNMC as ‘Top Performer on Key Quality Measures for 2012’

Holy Name Medical Center (HNMC) was named one of the nation's Top Performers on Key Quality Measures for 2012 by The Joint Commission, the leading accreditor of healthcare organizations in America. Holy Name was cited by the Joint Commission for exemplary performance in using evidence-based clinical processes that are shown to improve care for certain conditions.   Holy Name was recognized for its achievement on the following measure sets: Heart Attack, Heart Failure, Pneumonia and Surgical Care.

HNMC is one of 1099 hospitals in the United States earning the distinction of Top Performer on Key Quality Measures for attaining and sustaining excellence in accountability measure performance.   The ratings are based on an aggregation of accountability measure data reported to The Joint Commission during the 2012 calendar year.  This is the third year in a row that HNMC is being recognized as a Top Performer.

To be recognized as a top performer, a hospital must meet or exceed 95 percent performance thresholds for its composite performance on all reported accountability measures, as well as its performance on every single accountability measure for which it reports data to The Joint Commission.

Examples of core accountability measures for surgical care include but are not limited to "preventive antibiotic started 1 hour prior to incision," and "treatment preventing blood clots received."  Core accountability measures for pneumonia include but are not limited to "antibiotic timing within six hours of admission" and "pneumonia and influenza vaccination." Examples of heart attack measures are "aspirin at discharge" and "smoking cessation advice." "Smoking cessation advice" is also a core measure for heart failure, as are measures that include written discharge instructions or other educational material that address "weight monitoring" and "diet/fluid intake" and "what to do if heart failure symptoms worsen after discharge."

"The Top Performers on Key Quality Measures program is an important initiative because it provides transparency to the public," said Holy Name Medical Center President/CEO Michael Maron.  "We understand that what matters most to patients is safe, effective care. That's why Holy Name has made a commitment to accreditation and positive patient outcomes through evidence-based care processes. We are proud to be among The Joint Commission's top performers."

Holy Name Medical Center will be recognized in The Joint Commission's "Improving America's Hospitals" annual report as well as on The Joint Commission's Quality Check website (www.qualitycheck.org). The Top Performer program will be featured in the October issues of The Joint Commission Perspectives and The Joint Commission: The Source.