“To receive a five-star rating from HealthGrades is a great honor,” says James Clements, chief executive officer of South Fulton Medical Center. “It is a testament to the dedication of our nurses, physicians and staff who give the highest quality care to our patients, and sets South Fulton Medical Center apart from other hospitals.”

The HealthGrades study, the largest annual report of its kind, analyzed patient outcomes in nearly 40 million Medicare hospitalization records from 5,000 hospitals over the years 2006, 2007 and 2008. This year’s study found:

·         Across all 17 procedures and diagnoses in which mortality was studied, there was an approximate 72% lower chance of dying in a 5-star rated hospital compared to a 1-star rated hospital, and a 52% lower chance of dying in a 5-star hospital compared with the national average.

·         If all hospitals performed at the level of a 5-star rated hospital across the 17 procedures and diagnoses studied, 224,537 Medicare lives could potentially have been saved from 2006 through 2008.

 The new 2010 HealthGrades hospital ratings were posted today at www.healthgrades.com, HealthGrades’ public Web site.

 HealthGrades Ratings

HealthGrades’ hospital ratings and awards reflect the track record of patient outcomes at hospitals in the form of mortality and complication rates. HealthGrades rates hospitals independently based on data that hospitals submit to the federal government. No hospital can opt in or out of being rated, and no hospital pays to be rated.

 For 28 procedures and treatments, HealthGrades issues star ratings that reflect the mortality and complication rates for each category of care. Hospitals receiving a 5-star rating have mortality or complication rates that are below the national average, to a statistically significant degree. A 3-star rating means the hospital performs as expected. One-star ratings indicate the hospital’s mortality or complication rates in that procedure or treatment are statistically higher than average. Because the risk profiles of patient populations at hospitals are not alike, HealthGrades risk-adjusts the data to allow for apples-to-apples comparisons.

 More information on today’s HealthGrades study, including the complete methodology, can be found at www.healthgrades.com.

About South Fulton Medical Center

For more than 45 years, South Futon Medical Center has provided comprehensive, quality healthcare services for the families of South Fulton County and surrounding areas. Featured services include Labor and Delivery, newly renovated Emergency Department, Surgical Services and Outpatient Services including diagnostic imaging, cardiac catheterization laboratory, radiation oncology, sleep lab and physical, speech and occupational therapies. South Fulton Medical Center was constructed in 1963 as a state-of-the-art facility showcasing the latest in medical innovation to support the rapidly growing Southern Crescent area of metro Atlanta. Since then, South Fulton has continued that tradition of excellence with progressive medical technology, expert physicians, nurses and technicians, and an approach to caring that is as comforting as it is exceptional. For a physician or service referral, please call (404) 466-WELL.

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