Issue link: https://viewer.e-digitaledition.com/i/233706
Southwest General Earns JC Top Performer on Key Quality Measures Recognition S was recently named a Top Performer on Key Quality Measures by The Joint Commission (TJC), the leading accreditor of healthcare organizations in America. Southwest General is one of only two hospitals in Cuyahoga County, and among one-third of all TJC-accredited hospitals in the nation, to receive this distinction for attaining and sustaining excellence in accountability measure performance. Additionally, Southwest General is reportedly the only hospital in Cuyahoga County to be awarded both this designation from TJC and an "A" grade for hospital safety in the fall 2013 Hospital Safety Score report, which is administered by The Leapfrog Group. SWG earned TJC recognition for exemplary performance in using evidence-based clinical processes that are shown to improve care for certain conditions, such as heart attack, heart failure, pneumonia and surgical care. "We understand that what matters most to patients at Southwest General is safe, effective care. That's why we have OUTHWEST GENERAL (SWG) made a commitment to accreditation and to positive patient outcomes through evidence-based care processes," explains Thomas A. Selden, President and CEO, Southwest General. To be named a Top Performer on Key Quality Measures, a hospital must achieve cumulative performance of 95 percent or above across all reported accountability measures, as well as on each and every reported accountability measure where there are at least 30 denominator cases; have at least one core measure set that has a composite rate of 95 percent or above; and, within that measure set, achieve a performance rate of 95 percent on all applicable individual accountability measures. A 95 percent score equates to an evidence-based practice 95 times out of 100 opportunities. Each accountability measure represents an evidence-based practice. Examples include giving aspirin at arrival for heart attack patients, giving antibiotics one hour before surgery, or providing a home management plan of care for children with asthma. The recognition ratings are based on aggregation of accountability measure data reported to TJC during the 2012 calendar year. ■