St. Joseph’s Health Named One of Top 50 Cardiovascular Hospitals by IBM Watson Health

Syracuse, NY (April 16, 2018) – St. Joseph’s Health has been named one of the nation’s 50 Top Cardiovascular Hospitals by IBM Watson Health in the recently released 50 Top Cardiovascular Hospitals 2018 study. The annual study, conducted by Truven Health Analytics, now part of IBM Watson Health, identifies the top U.S. hospitals for inpatient cardiovascular services. This study is part of the Watson Health 100 Top Hospitals program.

The Watson Health 50 Top Cardiovascular Hospitals study measures attainment in key performance areas: risk-adjusted inpatient 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, new this year, CMS 30-day episode payment measures. The study has been conducted annually since 1999.

“This is the thirteenth unique recognition that our cardiovascular care currently holds,” said Leslie Paul Luke, President and CEO of St. Joseph’s Health. “The third-party national validation of our awards and certifications demonstrate our high-quality and innovative health care services.”

To determine the 50 top U.S. hospitals for heart care, IBM Watson Health researchers analyzed 2015 and 2016 Medicare Provider Analysis and Review (MEDPAR) data, 2016 Medicare cost reports and Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Hospital Compare July 1, 2013-June 30, 2016 data. The study, and subsequent analysis of the positive variances these leading cardiovascular service hospitals show, indicate an opportunity for a broader national impact for cardiovascular patients, should these results be replicated. In fact, if all cardiovascular providers in the U.S. performed at the level of this year's winners:

Nearly 8,900 additional lives could be saved

Nearly 3,700 more bypass and angioplasty patients could be complication-free

More than $1.4 billion could be saved

More information on this study and other 100 Top Hospitals research is available at 100tophospitals.com.

About the 50 Top Cardiovascular Hospitals Report and the 100 Top Hospitals Program

Since 1993, the Watson Health 100 Top Hospitals program has used independent and objective research to guide hospital and health system performance. Organizations do not apply or pay for this honor, or pay to promote their award. Award-winning hospitals and health systems prove that better care is possible and provide an example for other organizations to follow across the industry. The 100 Top Hospitals award winners demonstrate top performance on both how patients are cared for under clinical measures and how the hospital performs as an efficient business. Visit 100tophospitals.com for more information.

About St. Joseph’s Health

St. Joseph’s Health is a non-profit regional health care system based in Syracuse, N.Y., providing services to patients throughout Central New York and northern Pennsylvania. From primary to specialty to home care, to our Magnet-recognized hospital, and in collaboration with our community partners, St. Joseph's Health is advancing the health of the communities we serve through an expanding range of healthcare services to ensure our patients achieve optimum long-term health. Ranked by Consumer Reports among the top 15 heart surgery centers in the country, U.S. News “Best Regional Hospital” and a 15-time winner of the National Research Corporation Consumer Choice award, St. Joseph’s is widely recognized for quality, value and delivering the highest patient satisfaction. St. Joseph’s Health is affiliated with Franciscan Companiesand St. Joseph’s Physicians and is a member of Trinity Health.