Healthgrades recognizes 3 Ky. hospitals as among America's best

By Melissa Patrick

Kentucky Health News

Saint Joseph Hospital in Lexington was the only Kentucky hospital included in the list of "America's 100 Best Hospitals" by Healthgrades, an online source for information about physicians and hospitals. This is the fifth consecutive year Saint Joseph has made the list, having previously been recognized among the Top 250 hospitals by Healthgrades, according to a hospital news release.

Anthony A. Houston, CEO of CHI Saint Joseph Health, said in the release. “It has been a challenging few years in health care; however, I remain inspired by the dedication to excellence and human kindness our caregivers demonstrate each and every day. Their commitment has allowed us to again be recognized as a leading hospital in the U.S.”

Saint Joseph Hospital was also recognized as one of the top 100 hospitals for critical care and pulmonary care. It received a "State Ranking Award" for gastrointestinal care, gastrointestinal surgery, pulmonary care and was a recipient of a "Stroke Care Excellence Award." 

Two other Kentucky hospitals were listed among Healthgrades' list of "America's 250 Best Hospitals": St. Elizabeth Edgewood Hospital and Lourdes Hospital in Paducah. All three are owned by Catholic organizations.

St. Elizabeth Edgewood was also recognized as one of the top 100 hospitals for orthopedic surgery. In addition, it received the "Cardiac Surgery Excellence Award;" a "State Ranking Award" for gastrointestinal care; a "Stroke Care Excellence Award;" and a "Surgical Care Excellence Award."

Lourdes Hospital was also recognized in the top 100 hospitals for critical care, gastrointestinal care, gastrointestinal surgery, pulmonary care and stroke care. In addition, it received the "Cranial Neurosurgery Excellence Award;" "Neurosciences Excellence Award;" and state rankings for gastrointestinal care, gastrointestinal surgery and pulmonary care. 

Healthgrades says data for the rankings come from Medicare Provider Analysis and Review (Medpar) files for 2019-2021. Healthgrades says it analyzed patient-outcomes data for 31 conditions or procedures from virtually every hospital in the country, and a hospital had to have at least 21 of the 31 procedures and conditions to be considered for the rankings. The overall performance score is based on mortality rates for each of the 31 procedures and conditions, both in hospital and 30 days post- admission, with the higher emphasis on post admission deaths. Medpar files have records for all Medicare beneficiaries who use hospital inpatient services.