WakeMed Named One of the Nation's 50 Top Cardiovascular Hospitals 2021 by IBM Watson HealthTM and Fortune
November 18, 2020
WakeMed Named One of the Nation's 50 Top Cardiovascular Hospitals 2021 by IBM Watson HealthTM and Fortune
2021 Study Finds Top-Performing Hospitals Provide Better Clinical Care and Healthcare Value
RALEIGH, N.C. (November 18, 2020) – WakeMed was named one of the nation’s 50 Top Cardiovascular Hospitals by IBM Watson HealthTM and Fortune. WakeMed Raleigh Campus is home to the WakeMed Heart Center, a trusted cardiac leader and innovator for more than 50 years.
The annual study spotlights top-performing cardiovascular hospitals in the U.S. that are setting the standard for high quality, efficient, patient-centric care for heart disease. Based on a balanced scorecard of publicly available clinical, operational and patient satisfaction metrics and data across 980 U.S. hospitals with cardiovascular service lines, the top 50 hospitals delivered better outcomes while operating more efficiently and at a lower cost. The list of the top cardiovascular hospitals was published by Fortune.
WakeMed is also one of 19 hospitals on this year’s 50 Top Cardiovascular Hospitals list – and the only hospital in the Triangle – to achieve the additional distinction of meeting the criteria established by the American Heart Association's (AHA) Get With The Guidelines® (GWTG) programs, which promote evidence-based guidelines and improved patient care and outcomes.
"I am extremely proud of the unrivaled commitment of our multidisciplinary team at the WakeMed Heart Center which has again earned top honors for heart care and cardiovascular quality,” said Dr. Judson B. Williams, cardiovascular surgeon and executive medical director of WakeMed Heart & Vascular. “Cardiovascular disease continues to be the leading killer of American adults even amidst the present pandemic and this recognition indicates the attention to detail and proven outcomes we achieve to make a real difference in the lives of all the cardiovascular patients we touch."
The annual report highlights the top-performing cardiovascular hospitals in the U.S. based on a balanced scorecard of publicly available clinical, operational, and patient satisfaction metrics and data.
Extrapolating the results of this year's study, if all Medicare inpatients received the same level of care as those treated in the award-winning facilities:
- More than 7,000 additional lives could be saved;
- More than 5,000 additional bypass and angioplasty patients could be complication-free; and
- Over $1.6 billion could be saved.
“With more than 120 million American adults living with some form of cardiovascular disease, cardiovascular services are among the most critical in healthcare,” said Ekta Punwani, 100 Top Hospitals Program Lead, IBM Watson Health. “Hospitals are constantly working to improve clinical and operational performance, and the exceptional organizations on this list demonstrate the standard for top performing cardiac care. Their benchmarks serve as a real-world checkpoint for cardiovascular care across the U.S.”
WakeMed is the trusted, preferred provider of heart care in Wake County. WakeMed offers a wide range of services and procedures to keep the community heart healthy, from medical management to the most advanced diagnostics and minimally invasive procedures and surgeries. For more information about WakeMed’s cardiovascular experts, its innovative heart and vascular services and the Heart Care Plus+ collaboration, visit visit https://www.wakemed.org/care-and-services/heart-vascular-care/.
The list of the top cardiovascular hospitals was published by Fortune. For more information, visit www.ibm.com/watson-health/services/100-top-hospitals.
About WakeMed Health & Hospitals
Serving the community since 1961, WakeMed is a not-for-profit health care system founded and based in Raleigh, N.C. WakeMed exists to improve the health and well-being of our community by providing outstanding and compassionate care to all. WakeMed’s 941-bed system comprises a network of facilities throughout the Triangle area, including three full-service hospitals, seven emergency departments, a dedicated Children’s Hospital and Rehabilitation Hospital, more than 80 physician offices and Wake County’s only Level I Trauma Center. WakeMed’s mission-driven team includes more than 9,800 employees, 1,500 volunteers and 1,300 affiliated physicians, along with the more than 580 physicians and providers with WakeMed Physician Practices – all representing the best minds and the biggest hearts and the finest quality in health care and community health. For more information, visit wakemed.org or follow WakeMed on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
About the Fortune/IBM Watson Health 50 Top Cardiovascular Hospitals Study
The Fortune/IBM Watson Health 50 Top Cardiovascular Hospitals study uses independent and objective research to analyze cardiovascular hospital performance in clinical and operational areas addressing inpatient and 30-day mortality, patient complications, 30-day readmission, average length of stay, 30-day episode-of-care payment, and adjusted cost per case, for acute myocardial infarction (AMI), coronary artery bypass graft (CABG), percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) and heart failure (HF) patients. The study has been conducted annually since 1998.
About IBM Watson Health
IBM Watson Health is a data, analytics, and technology partner for the health industry. Supported by the innovation of IBM and intelligence of Watson, we are committed to helping build smarter health ecosystems. Through the combination of our deep industry expertise in health, data and analytics, actionable insights, and reputation for security and trust, Watson Health is working together with its clients and partners to help them achieve simpler processes, better care insights, faster breakthroughs, and improved experiences for people around the world.
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IBM Watson Health Media Contact
Matthew Henson | Phone: 917-930-7147
Email: matthew.henson@ibm.com
WakeMed Health & Hospitals
Kristin Kelly | Phone: 919-350-5921
Email: krkelly@wakemed.org