BRIGHTON, MA, Dec. 21, 2015 - St. Elizabeth’s Medical Center was recently named one of the nation’s 50 Top Cardiovascular Hospitals by Truven Health Analytics.^TM The study, now in its 17th year, singled out 50 hospitals that achieved superior clinical outcomes in this critical area of hospital care. As is the case with the Truven Health 100 Top Hospitals^® study, the rigorous processes used to calculate and measure hospital service lines leverage industry-leading, risk-adjusted methodologies developed and maintained by Truven Health scientists over many years. The 100 Top Hospitals study is widely regarded as the leading program for evaluating leadership impact in a hospital, as well as for evaluating quality indicators and efficiencies.

The Truven Health 50 Top Cardiovascular Hospitals study measures performance in key performance areas: risk-adjusted mortality, risk-adjusted complications, core measures (a group of measures that assess process of care), percentage of coronary bypass patients with internal mammary artery use, 30-day mortality rates, 30-day readmission rates, severity-adjusted average length of stay, and wage- and severity-adjusted average cost. The study has been conducted annually since 1999. St. Elizabeth’s was previously recognized with this distinction in 2013.

“This recognition by Truven Analytics speaks directly to the commitment St. Elizabeth’s Medical Center has made to our patients to provide the highest quality care and services,” said Beth Hughes, President of St. Elizabeth’s. “Our team of highly skilled cardiac surgeons, cardiologists and vascular medicine experts are among the top in their field. That expertise combined with the quality care our staff delivers has enabled us to create one of the best programs in the country and continue to be a leader in the treatment of Cardiovascular disease which affects so many.”

For the 50 Top Cardiovascular Hospitals study, Truven Health researchers analyzed 2013 and 2014 Medicare Provider Analysis and Review (MEDPAR) data, 2014 Medicare cost reports, and 2015 Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Hospital Compare 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 8,000 additional lives could be saved
• Nearly 3,500 more heart patients could be complication-free
• More than $1.3 billion could be saved

Review the 100 Top Hospital research for more information on this study.

About the Truven Health 100 Top Hospitals^® Program
Since 1993, the Truven Health 100 Top Hospitals program has used independent and objective research to guide hospital and health system performance. Organizations do not apply for this honor, and winners do not 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 through clinical measures and how the hospital performs as an efficient business. 100 Top Hospitals is a registered trademark of Truven Health Analytics.

About St. Elizabeth’s Medical Center
St. Elizabeth’s Medical Center is a major academic medical center affiliated with Tufts University School of Medicine.  Areas of medical excellence include vascular and endovascular surgery, cardiology, neurosciences, general and robotic surgery, bariatric surgery, women’s health, high-risk obstetrics, bone and joint health, hematology/oncology, pulmonary medicine and emergency medicine.  St. Elizabeth’s is a member of Steward Health Care, which is the second largest health care system in New England. Learn more about St. Elizabeth's.