UAMS Makes ‘Top Performers’ List
| Sept. 14, 2011 | The University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) today was named one of the nation’s top performers on key quality measures by The Joint Commission, the leading accreditor of health care organizations in America.
The Joint Commission’s list was compiled with data about evidence-based clinical processes that are shown to improve care for certain conditions, including heart attack, heart failure, pneumonia and surgical care.
UAMS was one of seven Arkansas hospitals out of 405 hospitals across the nation to earn this distinction. The other six Arkansas hospitals are: Arkansas Surgical Hospital LLC in North Little Rock; Helena Regional Medical Center in Helena-West Helena; Jefferson Hospital Association Inc. in Pine Bluff; Summit Medical Center in Van Buren; and Washington Regional Medical Center in Fayetteville.
Inclusion on the list, the Joint Commission’s first such list, is based on accountability measure data reported from the 2010 calendar year.
To be recognized as a top performer on key quality measures, an organization must meet two 95 percent performance thresholds. First it must achieve a composite performance of 95 percent or above, and it must meet or exceed a 95 percent performance target for every single accountability measure for which data is reported.
UAMS was recognized for achieving these thresholds for acute myocardial infarction and heart failure.
“Everyone associated with UAMS Medical Center has worked extremely hard to provide the exceptional quality of care that our patients deserve,” said Richard Pierson, vice chancellor for clinical programs and executive director of UAMS Medical Center. “Like our patients, this recognition inspires us to continue striving for excellence in all facets of our care.”
“Today, the public expects transparency in the reporting of performance at the hospitals where they receive care, and The Joint Commission is shining a light on the top performing hospitals such as UAMS that have achieved excellence on a number of vital measures of quality of care,” said Mark R. Chassin, M.D., president of The Joint Commission.
In addition to being included in today’s release of The Joint Commission’s “Improving America’s Hospitals” annual report, UAMS will be recognized on The Joint Commission’s Quality Check website, www.qualitycheck.org.
UAMS is the state’s only comprehensive academic health center, with colleges of Medicine, Nursing, Pharmacy, Health Related Professions and Public Health; a graduate school; a hospital; a statewide network of regional centers; and seven institutes: the Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute, the Jackson T. Stephens Spine & Neurosciences Institute, the Myeloma Institute for Research and Therapy, the Harvey & Bernice Jones Eye Institute, the Psychiatric Research Institute, the Donald W. Reynolds Institute on Aging and the Translational Research Institute. Named best Little Rock metropolitan area hospital by U.S. News & World Report, it is the only adult Level 1 trauma center in the state. UAMS has 2,836 students and 761 medical residents. It is the state’s largest public employer with more than 10,000 employees, including nearly 1,150 physicians who provide medical care to patients at UAMS, Arkansas Children’s Hospital, the VA Medical Center and UAMS’ Area Health Education Centers throughout the state. Visit www.uams.edu or uamshealth.com.