Cardiovascular patients in central Virginia can expect to receive superior care, a Thomson Healthcare study suggests, ranking the University Hospital among the top 100 in the country for cardiovascular health services.
According to Jean Chenoweth, senior vice president of the 100 Top Hospitals program with Thomson Healthcare, the study divided hospitals into three categories for evaluation. Thomson only compares the University's hospital to other teaching hospitals with cardiovascular residency, she noted.
This grouping, Chenoweth said, creates "valid benchmarks for particular types of facilities."
Criteria Thomson Healthcare examined include the mortality index for conditions such as congestive heart failure and coronary artery bypass graft as well as the total number of cases of these conditions, Chenoweth said, noting that Thomson Healthcare also evaluated the average length of stay and the average cost per case.
To compare various hospitals' data fairly, Chenoweth said, the study was adjusted to evaluate all of the hospitals on the same level despite the number of severe cases each hospital received.
According to Lawrence Gimple, co-director of the University's Heart and Vascular Center, the highest performing hospitals are able to keep patients for shorter periods of time because their patients are less likely to have complications, leading to lower costs.
Gimple also noted that in comparing the top 100 winners to the other 900 hospitals not recognized on the list, more than 7,000 lives could have been saved and more than 750 medical complications could have been avoided had those hospitals done what the top 100 Hospitals are currently doing.
According to Chenoweth, the University Hospital has a history of recognition for its cardiovascular work; the recent ranking is the University Hospital's fifth cardiovascular award since 1999.
"U.Va. has long been one of the benchmark hospitals in the nation," Chenoweth said.
The University and the surrounding community should be proud of the award, Gimple said, adding that this recognition proves that "the U.Va. Health System is the only place where you can get complete care for your heart -- no matter what's wrong with you."
According to Gimple, this award is also important for medical students looking to learn from a top teaching facility.
"To get great training you have to be in a hospital that gives the best care," he said.
Read More
U.Va. loses over $60 million in federal research cuts
By Bertie Azqueta | 21 hours agoThe impacted grants include three from the NIH, seven from the NEH, one from the United States Agency for International Development and four from the State Department.
Department of Education reverses course, awards Federal Executive Institute to U.Va.
By Ford McCracken | 3 days agoThe ED had previously awarded the institute to Charlottesville City Schools.
Students reflect on the life and legacy of Pope Francis
By Bertie Azqueta | 4 days agoAt the University, students shared a range of perspectives on his legacy of reform, inclusivity and his impact on the global Catholic community.
