Lakewood, CO—October 12, 2004
New York's Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS) has received a five-star rating for clinical quality and performance excellence in orthopedic services, according to a new study released today by HealthGrades, the nation's leading healthcare quality company.
The Hospital for Special Surgery's ratings place it among the top 5% in the nation for orthopedic services.
"We're very pleased and proud to be recognized with these outstanding HealthGrades quality ratings, which validate our commitment to clinical excellence," said John Reynolds, president & CEO of the Hospital for Special Surgery. "Top ratings from an independent, objective national source demonstrate the quality care that our physicians, nurses and staff deliver to the patients and families in our community every day."
As part of its seventh annual Hospital Quality in America Study, HealthGrades independently analyzed 5,000 hospitals in all 50 states and the District of Columbia for its 2005 ratings, objectively assessing their clinical outcomes, performance and quality. The HealthGrades ratings measure whether patient outcomes for each of more than two dozen procedures and diagnoses are better than expected (5-Star), as expected (3-Star) or worse than expected (1-Star). Earning a 5-Star designation indicates that a hospital has scored in the Top 15% or better in the nation for clinical quality.
"HealthGrades objectively assesses and rates hospital performance in order to help consumers make better and more informed healthcare choices," explained Sarah Loughran, HealthGrades executive vice president. "With consumers having a greater stake in their healthcare purchasing decisions, it's important for them to know that there is a tremendous difference in clinical quality outcomes between hospitals.
"In Manhattan, HSS stands out notably in terms of delivering quality care for its patients," Loughran added. "Patients, families and employers here truly have access to healthcare that is among the best in the nation."
The 2005 HealthGrades ratings for all hospitals nationwide are available, free of charge, on the web at http://www.healthgrades.com. More than one million unique users and 125 major employers visit the HealthGrades web site every month to access quality information about hospitals, nursing homes and physicians. HealthGrades also provides consumers and payers with detailed assessments of hospitals' patient safety outcomes, based on indicators developed by the U.S. Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality.
About HealthGrades
Health Grades, Inc. (OTCBB: HGRD) is the leading independent healthcare quality company, providing ratings, information, and advisory services to healthcare providers, employers, health plans, and insurance companies. HealthGrades works with healthcare providers to help assess, improve and promote their quality. HealthGrades provides consumers access to information about the clinical quality and patient safety outcomes of healthcare providers and practitioners through its Web site and provides liability insurers, employers, and payers with critical information about healthcare quality and safety.
HealthGrades Contact:
Sarah Loughran
Executive VP
303.716.6502
212.606.1197
mediarelations@hss.edu