Joint Commission recognizes hospitals for outstanding performance

The Joint Commission yesterday recognized 1,043 hospitals as a “Top Performer on Key Quality Measures” in 2014. The program examines the performance of hospitals accredited by the commission on 49 evidence-based practices for heart attack, heart failure, pneumonia, surgery, children's asthma, inpatient psychiatric services, venous thromboembolism, stroke, perinatal care, immunization, tobacco treatment and substance use. Overall, hospitals performed the practices 97.2% of the time in 2014, up from 81.8% in 2002, when the report began tracking 15 of the practices. “America’s hospitals continue to make dramatic strides toward becoming more reliable and we are proud to be their partner in doing so,” said Mark Chassin, M.D., president and CEO of The Joint Commission. The program will take a hiatus next year; the commission plans to reevaluate and refresh the program for 2017.