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Salem Hospital again among top 50 cardiovascular hospitals

05 Jan 2020

Strong relationships key to third consecutive honor



By: Elijah Penner, communications specialist

IBM Watson HealthTM has named Salem Hospital as one of the nation’s 50 Top Cardiovascular Hospitals for 2020. The Watson Health 50 Top Cardiovascular Hospitals™ study is in its 21st year. This is the fifth time — and third year in a row — Salem Hospital has been recognized.

The 2020 Watson Health 50 Top Cardiovascular Hospitals study identifies top-performing cardiovascular hospitals in the U.S. using independent and objective research to analyze a balanced scorecard of publicly available clinical, operational and patient satisfaction metrics and data.

Hospitals were scored in these performance areas:

  • Risk-adjusted inpatient mortality
  • Risk-adjusted complications
  • Percentage of coronary bypass patients with internal mammary artery use
  • 30-day risk-adjusted mortality rates
  • 30-day risk-adjusted readmission rates
  • Severity-adjusted average length of stay
  • Wage- and case mix- adjusted average cost per case
  • 30-day episode payment measures
  • Adjusted operating profit margin (new this year)

“Strong relationships across the spectrum of care — from provider and nurse to patient navigator — make this honor possible,” said Joshua Franke, cardiovascular service line director.  “We work as a team and it pays off.”

If all providers in the U.S. performed at the level of this year's winners (based on Medicare patients only), results industry-wide could amount to over 11,000 more lives saved, $1.5 billion saved and 2,800 additional heart patients could be complication-free.

“By finding ways to continuously improve and innovate, the winners of our study are identifying opportunities to deliver health care value to patients, communities, and payers,” said Ekta Punwani, MHA, 100 Top Hospitals® program leader at IBM Watson Health. “The top performing hospitals demonstrated better clinical care and were more efficient than their peers.”

Look for posters and additional announcements about this honor in February when we celebrate Heart Month! For more information, visit www.100tophospitals.com.