SPRINGFIELD – St. John’s Hospital today was honored as one of the nation's Top 100 hospitals for cardiovascular care by Thomson Reuters.  St. John’s was named as a Top 100 hospital in 2004 and 2000.  St. John’s is one of six hospitals in the state to receive the designation this year, and the only hospital in central Illinois to earn the distinction.

Thomson Reuter’s annual study “100 Top Hospitals: Cardiovascular Benchmarks” examined the performance of 971 hospitals in the U.S. by analyzing outcomes for patients diagnosed with heart failure and heart attacks and for those who received coronary bypass surgery or percutaneous cardiovascular interventions (PCI) such as angioplasties.

The study, in its 11th year, found that these hospitals have:

• 17 percent lower mortality rates for heart attack patients.
• 10 percent lower mortality rates for heart failure patients.
• 27 percent lower mortality for bypass surgery patients.
• 22 percent lower mortality following PCI.
• Fewer post-operative complications (99 percent of patients were complication-free).
• Close to 12 percent shorter average hospital stays.
• 12 percent lower cost per case.
• The top performing hospitals perform over 50 percent more cardiac surgeries than peer hospitals.

“Prairie Heart Institute at St. John’s consistently ranks among the nation’s premier heart center and today’s honor underscores our commitment to providing the highest quality of care to our patients.  The physicians, clinicians and staff members who care for our heart patients can be proud that their good work is being recognized as among the best in the country,” said Bob Ritz, President and CEO, St. John’s Hospital.

The 100 Top Hospitals study evaluated short-term, acute care, non-federal U.S. hospitals that treat a broad spectrum of cardiology patients.

Thomson Reuters researchers analyzed 2007 and 2008 Medicare Provider Analysis and Review (MedPAR) data, 2008 Medicare cost reports, and data from other sources. They scored hospitals in key performance areas: risk-adjusted medical mortality, risk-adjusted surgical mortality, risk-adjusted complications, core measures (a group of measures that assess process of care), percentage of coronary bypass patients with internal mammary artery use, procedure volume, severity-adjusted average length of stay, and wage- and severity-adjusted average cost.

"These hospitals provide balanced high performance across cardiovascular services. This means they are providing high quality and highly efficient care at a reasonable cost in comparison to peers across the United States," said Jean Chenoweth, senior vice president for performance improvement and 100 Top Hospitals programs at Thomson Reuters.

“It’s rewarding to once again be recognized by a national, independent organization that measures clinical performance.  Prairie Heart Institute prides itself on delivering high quality medical care that ensures our patients do well not only during their stay in the hospital, but as they return to an active lifestyle at home,” said Dr. Charles Lucore, Executive Director, Prairie Heart Institute at St. John’s Hospital.

About Prairie Heart Institute at St. John’s Hospital

Prairie Heart Institute performs more cardiac procedures than any other hospital in the state of Illinois and is consistently ranked among the best heart hospitals in the country.  All 47 Prairie board certified physicians serve patients in 38 communities throughout central, southern and northern Illinois.  This network provides convenient, quality care at the community level and makes the highest quality of heart care available to urban and rural residents throughout the region.  For more information call Prairie Heart Institute at 217-544-6464 ext. 44574 or visit www.prairieheart.com

About Thomson Reuters

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