Beloit Health System Rates High in Consumer Reports Recent Safety Ranking

Consumer Reports recently released the results of a new hospital surgery rating system, ranking over 2,400 hospitals in all 50 states. Beloit Health System received one of the top rankings in Wisconsin with very high rankings in low bloodstream infections and minimal adverse events. These ratings became available just days ago on the Consumer Reports website.

"We are very pleased to see that our efforts to increase excellence have been recognized. We take our patient’s safety very seriously," states Tim McKevett, President of Beloit Health System. "We have a highly skilled surgical and physician team and this is a credit to their talents, as well as the abilities of our surgical and support staff."

The ratings look at how hospitals nationwide compare in avoiding adverse events in Medicare patients during their hospital stay for surgery. The analysis looked at Medicare claims data from 2009 through 2011 for patients undergoing 27 categories of commonly scheduled surgeries; back surgery, replacement of the hip or knee, and surgery to remove blockages in arteries in the heart

"Beloit Health System was one of only 11 hospitals in Wisconsin to receive the highest ranking," explains Dr. Maria Taveras, Cardiologist Beloit  and Beloit Health System’s Medical Staff President. "In addition, we received the 8 highest ranking in the state in overall safety score. The ratings are based on data on infections, readmissions, complications, other adverse events and more."

Two of their highest scores indicate that Beloit Health System reported no bloodstream infections in the 839 days that its Critical Care patients had central lines in 2011. In addition, 96% of patients said their doctors (and 97% said their nurses) always or usually communicated well.

"Wisconsin is consistently ranked as one of the best states in the country based on the quality and safety of care provided," adds McKevett. "Wisconsin hospitals are sharing information through statewide collaborative with the goals to make care safer."

Consumer Reports is the largest, most trusted independent product testing organization in the world. They accept no advertising and have no shareholders. They test and rate thousands of products and services every year, furthering their mission to empower consumers. On its website, Consumer Reports provides its full methodology.

The Consumer Reports rating system is just one tool of many available to patients. In Wisconsin, consumers can access Wisconsin Hospital Associations WiCheckPoint.org, which provides hospital-specific information on nearly 100 measures. The Consumer Reports rating system is a good way to think about two outcomes that are of high concern to patients, both the risk of death and longer than expected hospital stays. For more information on Beloit Health System, please call 608-364-5206.

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