St. Francis Hospital Rated One of the Safest Hospitals in the Nation and the New York Metro Area
ROSLYN, N.Y., April 02, 2007 – A medical watchdog group has recognized St. Francis Hospital, The Heart Center, for being among the top five percent of hospitals nationwide in terms of patient safety. St. Francis was one of only seven hospitals in the region to receive the distinguished rating.
The rating was the result of a patient safety study conducted by HealthGrades, an independent healthcare ratings company. The report said that medical mistakes increased 3 percent from 2003 to 2005 in all the nation’s hospitals, but the safest hospitals made such errors 40 percent less frequently than those that were rated unsafe.
“This study says what we have been saying all along. You cannot get better care anywhere than at St. Francis,” said Alan D. Guerci, M.D., President and CEO. “Safety is and continues to be one of our top priorities.”
“The report said medical errors cost Medicare $8.6 billion over three years,” said Akram Boutros, M.D., Executive Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer. “In the face of declining reimbursements no hospital can afford to make such mistakes.”
St. Francis Hospital and Good Samaritan Hospital in West Islip, both part of Catholic Health Services (CHS) were the only two hospitals on Long Island to be ranked in the top 5 percent of safe hospitals nationwide. A spokesperson for the ratings service suggested that other hospitals replicate the safety programs of facilities that made the list.
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About St. Francis Hospital
St. Francis Hospital, The Heart Center is New York State’s only specialty designated cardiac center and is the busiest heart center in the Northeast. A recognized leader in the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of cardiac disease, St. Francis Hospital performs more cardiac surgery and interventional cardiac procedures than any other hospital in New York State. A leader in cardiovascular care for more than 50 years, St. Francis Hospital is a member of Catholic Health Services of Long Island (CHSLI). Contact us at 1.888.HEART.NY or visit us at www.stfrancisheartcenter.com.
Contact:
Paul Barry, 516-705-6657, paul.barry@chsli.org
Rosemary Gomez, 516- 705-6656, rosemary.gomez@chsli.org
