Three SSM Health Care – St. Louis hospitals recognized as ‘Top Performers’ in quality by The Joint Commission

The Joint Commission has named three SSM Health Care – St. Louis hospitals as being among the nation’s top performers in clinical quality measures. SSM St. Joseph Hospital West in Lake Saint Louis, SSM St. Mary’s Health Center in Richmond Heights, and SSM Cardinal Glennon Children’s Medical Center in St. Louis, are among the nation’s Top Performers on Key Quality Measures. They are the only hospitals in St. Louis to earn this distinguished honor.

The hospitals are among 620 across the U.S. earning the distinction of Top Performers on Key Quality Measures for attaining and sustaining excellence in accountability measure performance. SSM St. Mary’s Health Center and SSM St. Joseph Hospital West are recognized for exemplary performance in using evidence-based clinical processes that are shown to improve care for heart attack, heart failure, pneumonia and surgical care. SSM Cardinal Glennon Children’s Medical Center is similarly recognized for stellar scores in children’s asthma.

This is the second consecutive year that SSM St. Joseph Hospital West is being recognized as a top performer. The hospital is one of only 244 hospitals that achieved the distinction two years in a row.

“We understand that what matters most to patients at our hospitals is safe, effective care,” says Chris Howard, president/CEO of SSM Health Care – St. Louis. “That’s why SSM Health Care – St. Louis made a commitment to achieving exceptional patient outcomes. We are proud of our employees and physicians at St. Joseph Hospital West, St. Mary’s Health Center and Cardinal Glennon Children’s Medical Center for doing everything they can to provide the best care and best results for our patients. This national recognition is well-deserved as these hospitals continually improve in the areas of quality and safety reaching top-decile rankings for clinical care. The Joint Commission is one of the most highly respected organizations in the area of accreditation. We believe this honor demonstrates that community hospitals in our area rank very high in clinical quality performance.”

Each of the hospitals named as a Top Performer on Key Quality Measures was recognized for nearly perfect scores on key quality measures. The list of Top Performers increased by 50 percent from its debut last year and represents 18 percent of more than 3,400 eligible accredited hospitals reporting data. The Joint Commission will recognize the recipients in its “Improving America’s Hospitals” annual report, and on its Quality Check website (www.qualitycheck.org.) The Joint Commission stresses that top performers are “leading the way nationally in using evidenced-based processes closely linked to positive patient outcomes.”

About SSM Health Care – St. Louis
SSM Health Care – St. Louis’ mission statement — “Through our exceptional health care services, we reveal the healing presence of God” — is embodied by 11,000 employees and 2,500 staff physicians. Sponsored by the Franciscan Sisters of Mary, the health care network offers comprehensive health care services, but specializes in heart, cancer, neurosciences, orthopedics, pediatrics, weight-loss, sleep, imaging, behavioral health and fetal surgery. A winner of the Missouri Quality Award and multiple Best Places to Work awards, SSM Health Care – St. Louis includes seven hospitals ― Cardinal Glennon Children’s Medical Center, DePaul Health Center, St. Clare Health Center, St. Joseph Health Center, St. Joseph Health Center – Wentzville, St. Joseph Hospital West and St. Mary’s Health Center ― St. Joseph Medical Park, plus a Managed Care Organization, and a Physicians' Organization. Go to www.ssmhealth.com for more information.