Bruce James, president and CEO, unveiled the 2012 HealthGrades Excellence Awards at a gathering of Union Hospital employees, physicians, and board members in the hospital?s cafeteria on Wednesday, May 9.

HealthGrades analyzed nearly 5,000 hospitals over a three year period, looking at risk adjusted rates of mortality and complications.  The hospitals that take the best care of their patients achieve the top ratings.  Across a wide range of patient care services and specialties, Union Hospital shows a remarkable level of performance in patient care and safety.

?When it comes to their family?s health, nobody wants to settle for less than top quality care,? said Bruce James, president and CEO of Union Hospital.  ?This national recognition provides evidence that exceptional care is available right here in this community.?

Hospitals with the lowest risk-adjusted mortality and complication rates are named Excellence Award recipients according to James.  In 2012, Union Hospital achieved that distinction in four patient care areas, with Critical Care achieving the highest rankings.

Critical Care Excellence Award - Top 100 in the Nation                             

Five-star performance in the treatment of pulmonary embolism, respiratory failure and sepsis combine to boost Union Hospital into the top 5% in the nation for Critical Care.  Because of the hospital?s performance in those specific areas of care HealthGrades ranked UH among ?America?s 100 Best Hospitals for Critical Care? in 2012 and among the top-10 hospitals in the State of Ohio for Critical Care.

Emergency Medicine Excellence Award             

For the third consecutive year, UH ranks among the top 5 percent of all the nation?s hospitals in the care of patients admitted with the most serious emergency medical conditions like stroke, heart failure, sepsis, and heart attack.  High achievement in this category requires top performance by the entire hospital staff caring for the patient from their admission to their discharge.

Pulmonary Care Excellence Award                      

For treatment of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) and treatment of Pneumonia HealthGrades rated Union Hospital Five-Stars and recipient of the Pulmonary Care Excellence Award for the third consecutive year.  UH ranks among the nation?s top 10% of hospitals for pulmonary care.

Patient Safety Excellence Award                           

A patient safety event can extend the patient?s length of stay in the hospital and add to the cost of care.  It can even be a matter of life and death.  Keeping patients safe, preventing complications, and reducing the chance of mistakes places UH among the top 5 percent of the nation?s hospitals for Patient Safety for the second consecutive year.

Five-Star HealthGrades Awards  

Union Hospital was the recipient of HealthGrades top ?Five Star? rating for the Orthopedic services of total hip replacement and hip fracture treatment.  Five-Star ratings were also received for treatment of heart failure and GI bleed.

Jay Deeds of Dover, chairman of the hospital?s Board of Trustees, told assembled hospital staff that all those who live, work or visit our community should be pleased to know that Union Hospital has been nationally recognized with these Excellence Awards and Five-Star Ratings.

?Union Hospital is focused on clinical quality, provided with care and compassion,? Deeds said.  ?On behalf of the Board of Trustees, thank you to all the employees of the hospital and our medical staff for their hard work and devotion to providing quality care to their patients.?

Dr. Andrew Wherley of New Philadelphia, president of the Union Hospital Medical Staff, told the assembled employees the HealthGrades awards provide more than just bragging rights for Union Hospital.

?I?m very proud of our medical staff.  This is a credible, independent report of our hospital?s clinical quality.  The performance of Union Hospital in this evaluation of the nation?s hospitals is a tribute to the skill, commitment, and passion for quality our staff of physicians and employees bring to the hospital every day.?

James says a detailed report on Union Hospital?s ratings and awards can be found at the website:  www.healthgrades.com