Contact: Scott Samples, Public Information Coordinator
Phone: (772) 223-4920
Email: scott.samples@martinhealth.org   

STUART, Fla., April 16, 2012 – For the third year in a row and the seventh year overall, Martin Health System has been named one of the Thomson Reuters 100 Top Hospitals in the United States.

The study has been conducted annually since 1993. In that time, only 44 hospitals have won the award seven times or more – less than 2 percent of the total hospitals surveyed – including six from Florida. Research by Thomson Reuters indicates hospitals that win the award three or more times have particularly high levels of performance over many years.

“We are grateful for the dedication and commitment to quality our physicians, associates and volunteers display every day,” said Mark E. Robitaille, president and chief executive officer of Martin Health System. “Earning 100 Top Hospitals recognition for the third consecutive year and seventh overall is more than just an honor. It is recognition that we continue to fulfill our mission of providing exceptional care to every patient, every day and that we sustain that quality year after year.”

Martin Health was one of 20 winners in the Large Community Hospitals category (250 or more acute care beds in service and not classified as a teaching hospital). Martin Health was among 13 hospitals in Florida to earn recognition, and the only Treasure Coast hospital.

To determine the 100 Top Hospitals, Thomson Reuters looked at nearly 3,000 hospitals nationwide and selected award winners based on overall organizational performance. The study uses objective research and independent public data to recognize the best U.S. hospitals. Hospitals do not apply and winners do not pay to market this honor.

The Thomson Reuters 100 Top Hospitals study evaluates performance in 10 areas: mortality; medical complications; patient safety; average patient stay; expenses; profitability; patient satisfaction; adherence to clinical standards of care; post-discharge mortality; and readmission rates for acute myocardial infarction (heart attack), heart failure, and pneumonia.

To conduct the 100 Top Hospitals study, Thomson Reuters researchers evaluated 2,886 short-term, acute care, non-federal hospitals. They used public information – Medicare cost reports, Medicare Provider Analysis and Review (MedPAR) data, and core measures and patient satisfaction data from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Hospital Compare data set.  According to Thomson Reuters, if all Medicare inpatients received the same level of care as those treated in the award-winning facilities:

• More than 186,000 additional lives could be saved.
• Approximately 56,000 additional patients could be complication-free.
• More than $4.3 billion could be saved.
• The average patient stay would decrease by nearly half a day.

 “This year, the concentration of 100 Top Hospitals award winners has shifted significantly, with Texas, Florida, and California housing the most winners,” said Jean Chenoweth, senior vice president at Thomson Reuters. “A major change in performance geographically is an encouraging indication that the bar for quality care has been raised once again.” 

About Martin Health System: Martin Health System is a not-for-profit, community-based health care organization that has served the region for more than 70 years. It offers a continuum of care including preventative, primary and acute hospital care, as well as cancer and cardiac care, wellness and rehabilitation services. Its approximately 3,000 Associates, 375 affiliated physicians and 900 volunteers provide care at 12 different locations serving Martin and St. Lucie counties. Martin Health is a seven-time winner of the Thomson Reuters 100 Top Hospitals Award, has twice been named a Thomson Reuters 50 Top Cardiovascular Hospitals award winner, and received designation as a National Employer of Choice designee for 2009 and 2010-11. To learn more, visit martinhealth.org.