Methodist named one of 50 Top Cardiovascular Hospitals in Nation

Methodist Medical Center has been named one of the nation’s 50 Top Cardiovascular Hospitals by IBM Watson Health_TM.  Two Covenant Health hospitals – Methodist Medical Center and Fort Sanders Regional Medical Center in Knoxville – were named to the  2019 50 Top Cardiovascular Hospitals list. They were the only two hospitals in Tennessee to be included in the Community Hospital category.

A Honor that’s Earned

The Watson Health 50 Top Cardiovascular Hospitals study is now in its 20th year. The study is based on Medicare Provider Analysis and Review (MedPAR) data, Medicare cost reports and Hospital Compare data from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Hospitals were scored in key value based performance areas such as risk-adjusted 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 CMS 30-day episode payment measures (new this year).

“Recognition of our cardiovascular program by an organization such as IBM Watson Health is continued validation of the immense dedication by our physicians and medical professionals throughout the continuum of care,” said Jeremy Biggs, president and chief administrative officer at Methodist. “Our mission-driven philosophy to always put our patients first drives our passion for providing excellent care every day and with every interaction.”

Recognized Hospitals Establish the New Benchmark in Care

According to IBM Watson Health, if all cardiovascular providers in the U.S. performed at the level of this year’s winners (based on their care of Medicare patients), results could include over 10,300 additional lives saved, $1.8 billion saved, and 2,800 additional bypass and angioplasty patients could be complication free.

“Cardiovascular disease is among the most widespread and costliest diseases in the U.S. with an annual price tag of roughly $317 billion. It is estimated that cardiovascular disease accounts for approximately $1 out of every $6 spent on healthcare in the country. That’s why it is so critical that hospitals find new and innovative ways to deliver better care at a lower cost,” said Ekta Punwani, 100 Top Hospitals program leader at IBM Watson Health.

“The winning hospitals in our study have established the new benchmark for cardiac care performance by driving consistently better outcomes at a lower cost per case.”

The winning hospitals were announced in a winter issue of Modern Healthcare magazine.

About the IBM Watson Health 100 Top Hospitals Program

The IBM Watson Health 100 Top Hospitals program uses independent, objective research to analyze hospital and health system performance. Award-winning hospitals and health systems prove that better care is possible and provide an example for other organizations to follow across the industry.

For more information visit www.100tophospitals.com.