Methodist Healthcare System | Keeping Well | Fall 2019

M e t h o d i s t H e a l t h c a r e Six Methodist Healthcare System hospitals were awarded an “A” fromThe Leapfrog Group’s Spring 2019 Hospital Safety Grade. Methodist Healthcare Hospitals were among 832 awarded an “A” for their efforts in protecting patients from harm and providing safer healthcare. The Safety Grade assigns an A, B, C, D or F grade to hospitals across the country based on their performance in preventing medical errors, inju- ries, accidents, infections and other harms among patients in their care. Methodist Healthcare facilities receiving A’s include Methodist Children’s Hospital, Methodist Hospital, Methodist Hospital South, Methodist Specialty and Transplant Hospital, Methodist Stone Oak Hospital and Metropolitan Methodist Hospital. Northeast Methodist Hospital and Methodist Texsan Hospital received a grade of “B”. Making the safety honor roll is not new for these hospitals. Metro- politan Methodist Hospital earned an “A” for the sixth time in a row, Methodist Hospital and Methodist Children’s Hospital earned an “A” for the fourth time in a row and Methodist Specialty and Transplant Hospital has earned an “A” grade for three consecutive reports. “We are committed to meeting the highest safety standards in the S industry for our patients and our commitment has been quite consistent across Methodist hospitals,” said Allen Harrison, president and CEO, Methodist Healthcare. “It is an unbelievable achievement to continue to rank among the safest hospitals in the region.” “To be recognized nationally as an ‘A’ hospital is an accomplishment the whole community should take pride in,” said Leah Binder, president and CEO of The Leapfrog Group. “Hospitals that earn an ‘A’ grade are making it a priority to protect patients from preventable medical harm and error. We congratulate hospital leaders, board members, staff, volunteers and clinicians who work so hard to earn this ‘A’.” Developed under the guidance of a National Expert Panel, the Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade uses 28 measures of publicly available hospital safety data to assign grades to more than 2,600 U.S. hospi- tals twice per year. The Hospital Safety Grade’s methodology is peer- reviewed and fully transparent, and the results are free to the public. To see Methodist Healthcare’s full grade details, and to access patient tips for staying safe in the hospital, visit www.hospitalsafetygrade.org and follow The Leapfrog Group on Twitter and Facebook. Methodist Hospital’s ECMO Program Receives National Acclaim South Texas’ Only Private Heart Lung Lifesaving Program Methodist Hospital’s ECMO Program recently received the ELSO Gold Level Center of Excellence Award—the most prestigious designation in criti- cal care by the Extracorporeal Life Support Organization. The Excellence in Life Support Award recognizes those centers that demonstrate an exceptional commitment to evidence- based processes and quality measures, staff training and continuing education, patient satisfaction, and ongoing clini- cal care. Methodist Hospital’s Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygen- ation (ECMO) program is one of the most advanced forms of life support available to patients experiencing acute fail- ure of the cardiorespiratory system. The treatment supplies oxygen in the patient’s blood and helps pump the blood back into the body. “Through the ECMO program, we have saved over 100 lives in the past six years,” said Chandra Kunavarapu, M.D. “I am incredibly proud of what we have achieved and the amazingly dedicated and passionate team behind this program.” To watch patient stories on how the ECMO program made a difference in their lives, visit www.SAHealth.com . Methodist Healthcare Hosts “CrushThe Crisis” Opioid Take Back Day Volunteers with three Methodist Healthcare hospitals partnered with the San Antonio Police Department for a “Crush the Crisis” opioid take back day that collected more than 130 pounds of prescription medications. Community mem- bers were able to safely and anonymously dispose of unused or expired prescription medications. The purpose of the event was to raise awareness about the dangers of opioid misuse and proper disposal of these medications. The drive-by medication drop-offs were conveniently located at Methodist Hospital, Metropolitan Methodist Hospital and Northeast Methodist Hospital. SixMethodist Healthcare System Hospitals Receive an “A” for Patient Safety K E E P I N G W E L L 4 F A L L 2 0 1 9