Dover, Milford facilities high in critical, cardiac medicine

Delaware State News

DOVER — When HealthGrades, an independent health care ratings company, released the findings of its 11th Annual Hospital Quality in America Study Monday, Bayhealth Medical Center found itself a cut above the rest, earning a No. 1 ranking in Delaware in overall critical care, cardiac services, cardiac surgery and cardiology services.

Bayhealth also earned a five-star rating for treatment of respiratory failure, sepsis, heart attack, heart failure and valve replacement surgery.

The study analyzed more than 41 million Medicare hospitalization records from 2005-07 at both Bayhealth hospitals, Kent General in Dover and Milford Memorial in Milford.

HealthGrades rates 5,000 nonfederal hospitals nationwide on 27 procedures based upon patient outcomes in terms of mortality and complication rates. According to the study, if all hospitals performed at the five-star level, 273,420 deaths potentially could have been prevented over the three years studied.

"To patients, these scores mean (by choosing Bayhealth) they have a better chance of coming out alive," said Dr. Gary M Siegelman, chief medical officer at Bayhealth-Kent General Hospital.

"We’re pleased with the findings," said Dr. John D. Mannion, medical director of cardiac surgery at the hospital. "It means we’re on the right path and we’re taking good care of our patients."

While Bayhealth received five-star ratings for several treatments, the actual procedures are not the biggest part of providing a good service, said Dr. Mannion. The initial intake sessions before a procedure and the rehabilitation afterwards are just as important as the procedure itself.

"A good outcome would not be possible without a collaborative effort of the entire staff," Dr. Mannion said.

Dr. Siegelman notes an influx of patients coming to the hospital from Sussex County and parts of Maryland because of the quality of service the hospital provides.

With the advent of organizations like HeakthGrades that make information about health care more accessible to the public, patients are becoming savvier consumers, at least for elective care services, he said.

"In general, the public is more aware of and has greater access to information about facilities," Dr. Siegelman said. "It’s important to be educated when looking for health care, but you don’t really have a choice if you’re in the ambulance on the way to the hospital."

Dr. Mannion believes it’s important to have a quality program for local residents.

"People don’t always want to travel for health care services," Dr. Mannion said, "especially when there’s acute or semi-acute conditions in which there’s no choice but to go to the nearest hospital."

Both the public and the hospital take the scores seriously.

"Nobody wants to be a one-star facility," Dr. Siegelman said. "While they are helpful, HealthGrades’ statistics aren’t the only resource to consult when choosing a health care provider."

Dr. Mannion and Dr. Siegelman both agree that the best advice will come from family physicians.