BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – For the third consecutive year, three Baptist Health System hospitals were each named a Top Performer on Key Quality Measures® by The Joint Commission, the leading accreditor of health care organizations in America. Princeton Baptist (Birmingham), Shelby Baptist (Alabaster) and Walker Baptist (Jasper) were recognized by The Joint Commission for their exemplary performance in using best practices shown to improve care for certain conditions. All three Baptist medical centers were recognized for their achievements in four areas: heart attack, heart failure, surgery and pneumonia. “Safe, effective care is what matters most to our patients. Physicians and staff at our hospitals understand that and strive daily to deliver safe, effective care,” said BHS President and CEO Shane Spees. “That is why Baptist Health System has made a strong commitment to use evidence-based clinical care processes that have been proven to lead to the best possible outcomes. We are proud to receive, again this year, the distinction of being named Top Performers by The Joint Commission.” According to The Joint Commission, 1,099 hospitals throughout the nation were listed as Top Performers, which is approximately one-third of all Joint Commission-accredited hospitals that reported accountability measure performance data for 2012. The Top Performer designation is awarded to hospitals – like Princeton, Shelby and Walker Baptist – who attain and sustain excellence in clinical care. “All the Top Performer hospitals – such as Princeton, Shelby and Walker Baptist – have demonstrated an exceptional commitment to quality improvement, and they should be proud of their achievement,” says Dr. Mark R. Chassin, president and chief executive officer of The Joint Commission. In addition to being included in The Joint Commission’s “Improving America’s Hospitals” annual report, Princeton, Shelby and Walker Baptist will be recognized on The Joint Commission’s Quality Check web site (www.qualitycheck.org). The Top Performer program will be featured in the December issues of two The Joint Commission publications, The Joint Commission Perspectives and The Source.
