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UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA MEDICAL CENTER MAKES TOP HOSPITALS LIST

The University of Virginia Medical Center has been named one of the top 100 hospitals in the country for the second year in a row. The announcement was made today by HCIA and The Health Network in their seventh annual 100 Top Hospitals Benchmarks for Success study.

In this year's study, U.Va. is one of only 15 major teaching hospitals and one of only four that has a medical school.

The HCIA/Health Network study is based solely on objective, quantitative performance data that are consistent and complete across all hospitals in the United States. The study identifies top performing hospitals based upon quality of care, efficiency of operations and the ability to sustain overall performance.

Being recognized as one of the top 100 hospitals is not only an honor but a reflection of the dedication and commitment of our employees, said Robert W. Cantrell, vice president and provost for the health system at the University. The array of performance measures that HCIA used demonstrate that, across the institution, there is a collaborative effort to deliver quality in our clinical practices, operations and financial management.

The study analyzed hospitals throughout the country using empirical performance data from publicly available sources. This methodology ensures that the focus is on statistical rather than anecdotal evidence of top performance, according to HCIA.

Highlights of the study's findings include:

  • If all U.S. hospitals were to operate like the 100 Top Hospitals, savings to the industry would exceed $31 billion annually.

  • Benchmark hospitals treat sicker patients while achieving better patient outcomes, as measured by mortality and complications.

  • Hospitals recognized as the nation's 100 Top Hospitals are more efficient; they work with fewer staff, care for more patients and are twice as profitable as other hospitals.

HCIA also recently announced that the U.Va. orthopedic department was one of the top 100 orthopedic services in the country.

HCIA collects, manages and distributes comparative health care information. The Health Network is the leading consumer-health destination on television and on the Internet.

December 13, 1999