Nazareth Hospital Receives Five-Star Rating for Orthopaedic Surgery; Nation's Leading Healthcare Quality Company Cites Nazareth as Superior

Business Wire, Oct 13, 2004

PHILADELPHIA -- Nazareth Hospital's Orthopaedic Program has been recognized for its exceptional patient outcomes once again. Total knee replacement surgery, hip fracture repair and partial hip replacement surgery all received five-star ratings from HealthGrades. In fact, this is the third consecutive year that Nazareth Hospital's partial hip replacement surgery has been cited as exceptional.

"Our stellar orthopaedic team is proof that talent and dedication can truly make a difference in the lives of our patients," commented Patricia DeAngelis, President and CEO of Nazareth Hospital. "We are focused on providing extraordinary care and it is a pleasure to have that effort validated by such a well-respected organization."

As part of its seventh annual HealthGrades Hospital Quality in America Study, HealthGrades independently analyzed nearly 5,000 hospitals in all 50 states as well as the District of Columbia for its ratings, objectively assessing their clinical outcomes and quality. HealthGrades reviews this information using data taken from Medicare files provided by the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services. The ratings take into account patient characteristics, such as age, gender and pre-existing medical conditions in order to make accurate and fair comparisons between hospitals. HealthGrades then analyzes whether patient outcomes for each of more than two dozen procedures and diagnoses are better than expected (five-star), as expected (three-star) or worse than expected (one-star). HealthGrades publishes these ratings based on the clinical performance of that hospital. For the third year running, Nazareth Hospital earned a five-star rating - the highest possible rating - for total knee replacement surgery, hip fracture repair and partial hip replacement surgery.

Nazareth Hospital has continued to enhance its orthopaedic program, adding a new clinical nurse manager and an orthopaedic nurse coordinator, as well as education sessions for joint replacement patients prior to surgery. These additions to the program are intended to ensure that the orthopaedic care is the highest quality possible. This includes all aspects of an orthpaedic patient's care, from admission to rehabilitation. In addition, Nazareth Hospital has added a new MRI suite, which boasts the latest technology to perform a full range of MRI examinations, as well as highly specialized orthopaedic imaging.

In addition, Nazareth Hospital has renovated Four West, its orthopaedic patient unit. The wing now includes 13 private rooms with bathrooms. Patient rooms were designed with safety in mind, including easy access to bathrooms and showers. The nurses' station was also renovated, providing more space to work, positively impacting nurses' ability to deliver care.

"Our five-star ratings in orthopaedics mean that patients receiving care in these areas at Nazareth Hospital have a much greater chance of successful recovery without major complications than at hospitals with a one-star or three-star rating," stated James V. Mackell, Jr., MD, Sub-Section Chair of Orthopaedics for Nazareth Hospital. "That is incredibly important information when individuals are considering where to come for the best orthopaedic care."

Founded by the Sisters of the Holy Family of Nazareth, Nazareth Hospital has provided health care to the Northeast Philadelphia community since 1940. The Hospital has 225 acute and 28 skilled care beds, and offers a full array of health care services -- including the number one stroke program in Pennsylvania for three years in a row according to HealthGrades -- emergency services, surgery, vascular services, cardiac care, orthopaedic and rehabilitation services, cancer care, women's health, and home health services. Nazareth Hospital is an affiliate of the Mercy Health System, and Catholic Health East, which includes more than 35 hospitals and 28 long-term care facilities in 10 states. For more information about Nazareth Hospital, please log onto www.NazarethHospital.org.