Vidant Health hospitals rank among state's best | Eastern North Carolina Now

For Immediate Release:

    GREENVILLE     Three Vidant Health hospitals have been included among the top hospitals in the state by Business North Carolina magazine.

    Vidant Medical Center in Greenville, Vidant Chowan Hospital in Edenton and Vidant Edgecombe Hospital in Tarboro were included in four lists of top hospitals in the state in the magazine's March edition.

    Business North Carolina ranked Vidant Medical Center 21st in the state overall. The rankings were based on data from Medicare and Medicaid, North Carolina Hospital Association and other sources for criteria that considered patient satisfaction, death rates for heart attack, heart failure and pneumonia, patient safety records and hospital-acquired conditions for procedures such as heart and vascular surgery, joint replacements and female reproductive surgery; and from Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina, The Leapfrog Group and U.S. News and World Report.

    Another listing entitled "Cutting-Edge Hospitals" cited Vidant Medical Center for its work in quality and expertise in the delivery of specialized bariatric surgery. This recognition was based on data from Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina Inc. experience, objective data from various sources and collaboration with doctors and professional organizations.

    Vidant Medical Center also was recognized by U.S. News and World Report as a "standout hospital," performing higher than the national norm in nephrology, pulmonology and urology.

    In the listing for "patient picks" in which hospital patients were asked how likely they would recommend this hospital to a family member or friend, Vidant Medical Center ranked seventh overall, with 82 percent of those surveyed offering highest rankings. Vidant Edgecombe Hospital ranked 18th in the state, while Vidant Chowan Hospital ranked 24th. All three rank higher than both state (71 percent) and national (70 percent) averages. These rankings were based on surveys conducted by The Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (HCAHPS).

    David C. Herman, MD, president and chief executive officer of Vidant Health, said the recognition is humbling, but the health system's mission to care for the people of eastern Carolina is paramount.

    "We do this work because we are committed to improving the health of the people in our communities," Herman said. "To be recognized for doing this work is a source of pride for all of us. We will continue to build upon the momentum that this recognition provides to continue to improve our care."

    Steve Lawler, president of Vidant Medical Center, said the hospital's physicians and employees make the difference.

    "Although it is nice to achieve the rankings listed in this article, we still have more to do as we look for every opportunity to improve every aspect of our hospital," Lawler said. "Our superb teams of physicians and employees are truly committed to providing the very best for patients, families and the communities they serve. I am encouraged and excited because this is the kind of work that takes place each and every day."

    Jeff Sackrison, president of Vidant Chowan Hospital, said every member of the hospital's health care team strives to provide the best possible experience for patients and their families.

    "We are extremely proud to be recognized as a 'patient pick' based on our HCAHPS performance," Sackrison said. "We are working to ensure all care in our hospital is centered on the needs of the patients. These results validate that our commitment is paying off."

    Patrick Heins, president of Vidant Edgecombe Hospital, said hospital staff and physicians are committed to achieving high-quality care and meeting the needs of patients and families.

    "We are thrilled to have received this recognition," Heins said. "Vidant Edgecombe Hospital has been providing high-quality care to eastern North Carolina for years and will continue to set the bar high by having highly engaged employees, physicians and patient and family
advisors."

    For more information, visit www.VidantHealth.com.


    Contact: Barbara Dunn, Vidant Health Strategic Development, (252)847-7599.

    Vidant Health, a mission-driven, not-for-profit corporation, owns, leases or has a majority membership interest in nine eastern North Carolina hospitals and has a management agreement with one other. The health system includes Albemarle Health, Vidant Beaufort Hospital, Vidant Bertie Hospital, Vidant Chowan Hospital, Vidant Duplin Hospital, Vidant Edgecombe Hospital, The Outer Banks Hospital, Vidant Medical Center, Vidant Pungo Hospital, Vidant Roanoke-Chowan Hospital, Vidant Home Health and Hospice, Vidant Wellness Centers, Vidant Medical Group and is affiliated with the Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University. On the web at www.vidanthealth.com.