SAN DIEGO – May 17, 2022 – Palomar Medical Center Escondido ranks among the top 5 in California for Spine Surgery according to a new analysis released by Healthgrades, the leading resource that connects consumers, physicians, and health systems. Not only does Palomar Health rank in the top 5 in California for Spine Surgery, but is also one of America’s 100 Best Hospitals for Spine Surgery, and a Spine Surgery Specialty Excellence Award recipient. For the State Ranking analysis, Healthgrades evaluated clinical performance for nearly 4,500 hospitals nationwide focusing on eight key specialties across a mix of chronic, urgent, and planned clinical areas.
“We’re so proud to receive both awards for Spine Surgery and Hospital Safety. Offering extraordinary care and patient safety is of the utmost importance to us, and we will continue to do everything we can to raise the bar to offer the highest quality to our patients and community,” says Mel Russell, RN, MSN, Chief Nurse Executive of Palomar Health.
Hospitals recognized as among the Top Ranked in their state by Healthgrades are providing patients with measurably superior clinical outcomes. For example, from 2018-2020, patients treated at hospitals receiving a state ranking for Spine Surgery have, on average, a 46.1% lower risk of experiencing a complication while in the hospital than if they were treated in hospitals that were not state ranked for Spine Surgery.* Similarly, from 2018-2020, patients treated at hospitals which did not receive a state ranking for Spine Surgery are, on average, 1.85 times more likely to experience one or more complications in the hospital than if they were treated in hospitals that were state ranked for Spine
Surgery.*
“Being recognized among the top 5 in California for Spine Surgery is a great achievement that speaks to Palomar Health’s ongoing commitment to high-quality care. Hospitals receiving a top state ranking have much to be proud of as their deep medical expertise has built a track record of delivering positive outcomes for their patients,” said Brad Bowman, MD, Chief Medical Officer and Head of Data Science, Healthgrades. Bowman added, “For almost 25 years, our mission has been to provide consumers with clear and accessible information to make more informed healthcare decisions. Patients can feel confident knowing that they have access to top ranked care for Spine Surgery at Palomar Medical Center Escondido.
Also in 2022, Palomar Health was also recognized by Healthgrades with clinical achievements in other key specialties…
One of Healthgrades America’s 100 Best Hospitals for Orthopedic Surgery™ for 6 Years in a Row (2017-2022)
One of Healthgrades America’s 100 Best Hospitals for Joint Replacement™ for 7 Years in a Row (2016-2022)
One of Healthgrades America’s 100 Best Hospitals for Spine Surgery™ for 3 Years in a Row (2020-2022)
Recipient of the Healthgrades 2022 Surgical Care Excellence Award™
Recipient of the Healthgrades Stroke Care Excellence Award™ for 3 Years in a Row (2020-2022)
Five-Star Recipient for Treatment of Sepsis for 4 Years in a Row (2019-2022)
Palomar Medical Center Poway has also been nationally recognized with an ‘A’ Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade for Spring 2022. The national distinction recognizes Palomar Medical Center Poway’s achievements in protecting patients from preventable harm and error in the hospital. Palomar Medical Center has been recognized with an ‘A’ grade consistently over the last two years, in Spring 2022, Fall 2021, Spring 2021, Fall 2020 and Spring 2020.
The Leapfrog Group, an independent national watchdog organization, assigns an “A,” “B,” “C,” “D,” or “F” grade to general hospitals across the country based on over thirty national performance measures reflecting errors, accidents, injuries and infections, as well as systems hospitals have in place to prevent harm.
“As our health care system continues to feel the strain of the pandemic, I thank the workforce and leadership of Palomar Medical Center Poway for sustained commitment to patient safety, day in and day out,” said Leah Binder, president and CEO of The Leapfrog Group. “An ‘A’ Safety Grade is an outstanding achievement, and one that is not possible without a 24/7 effort by the entire health care workforce to protect patients from harm. This community should be proud.”
The Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade is the only hospital ratings program based exclusively on hospital prevention of medical errors and harms to patients. The grading system is peer-reviewed, fully transparent and free to the public. Grades are updated twice annually, in the fall and spring.
Palomar Health’s team of world-class physicians, nurses, technicians and team members all share the common goal of making the patient experience extraordinary and leading healthcare into the future. For more information on Palomar Health, please visit PalomarHealth.org.
About Palomar Health
Established in 1948, the award-winning team at Palomar Health provides the most comprehensive healthcare in North San Diego County through its two medical centers and more than 900 affiliated medical providers serving more than half a million people. Palomar Health is San Diego County’s only member of the Mayo Clinic Care Network and is nationally recognized as operating one of America’s 250 Best Hospitals; a Best 100 Hospital for joint replacement and orthopedic surgery; a Best Hospital for stroke care, heart care and bariatric surgery; a Diabetes and Stroke Center of Excellence; and a Blue Distinction Center for spine surgery, cardiac care and maternity.
Through its network of providers, Palomar Health offers medical services in virtually all fields of medicine, including primary care, cardiovascular care, emergency services, trauma, cancer, orthopedics, women’s health, behavioral health, rehabilitation, robotic surgery and bariatric surgery at offices strategically located throughout the North San Diego County region. For more information, please visit PalomarHealth.org.
