America's 50 Best Hospitals

At Community Hospital, we take great pride in being named one of America's 50 Best Hospitals six years in a row, 2008 - 2013 by Healthgrades, the nation's leading independent healthcare quality ratings company. If all hospitals operated at the same level as the America’s 50 Best Hospitals, 164,964 deaths and 18,900 in-hospital complications could have potentially been prevented. Community Hospital is the only hospital in Indiana recognized for achieving this level of overall excellence and is ranked in the top 1% of hospitals nationwide.

Distinguished Hospital Award for Clinical Excellence™

• Recipient of the Distinguished Hospital Award for Clinical Excellence™ nine years in a row - 2004-2012
• Only hospital in Indiana to be a recipient of the Distinguished Hospital Award for Clinical Excellence™ nine years in a row - 2004-2012
• Ranked among the top 5% nationwide for overall clinical excellence nine years in a row - 2004-2012
• Only hospital in Indiana to be ranked among the top 5% nationwide for overall clinical excellence nine years in a row - 2004-2012

Cardiac Service Line

• One of Healthgrades America’s 100 Best Hospitals for Cardiac Care™  for 2 years in a row (2012-2013)
• Only hospital in Northwest Indiana to be one of Healthgrades America’s 100 Best Hospitals for Cardiac CareTM  for 2 years in a row (2012-2013)
• One of Healthgrades America’s 100 Best Hospitals for Cardiac Surgery™ for 2 years in a row (2012-2013)
• Only hospital in Northwest Indiana to be one of Healthgrades America’s 100 Best Hospitals for Cardiac Surgery™ for 2 years in a row (2012-2013)
• Recipient of the Healthgrades Cardiac Care Excellence Award™ for 2 years in a row (2012-2013)
• Recipient of the Healthgrades Cardiac Surgery Excellence Award™ for 2 years in a row (2012-2013)
• Recipient of the Healthgrades Coronary Intervention Excellence Award™ in 2012
• Ranked Among the Top10% in the Nation for Overall Cardiac Services for 2 years in a row (2012-2013)
• Ranked Among the Top 5% in the Nation for Cardiac Surgery in 2013
• Ranked Among the Top 10% in the Nation for Cardiology Services in 2012
• Ranked Among the Top 10% in the Nation for Coronary Interventional Procedures in 2012
• Best Rated in Northwest Indiana for Overall Cardiac Services, Cardiology Services, Cardiac Surgery and Coronary Interventional Procedures in 2012
• Ranked Top 10 in Indiana for Overall Cardiac Services - 11 years in a row (2003-2013)
• Ranked Top 10 in Indiana for Cardiology Services - 10 years in a row (2004 - 2013)
• Ranked Top 5 in Indiana for Cardiac Surgery – 2 years in a row (2012-2013)
• Ranked Top 5 in Indiana for Coronary Interventional Procedures in 2012
• Five-Star Rated for Overall Cardiac Services for 2 years in a row (2012-2013)
• Five-Star Rated for Cardiac Surgery in 2013
• Five-Star Rated for Overall Coronary Bypass Surgery for 2 years in a row (2012-2013)
• Five-Star Rated for Overall Valve Surgery for 2 years in a row (2012-2013)
• Five-Star Rated for Overall Coronary Interventional Procedures in 2012
• Five-Star Rated for Treatment of Heart Failure - 8 years in a row (2006 - 2013)

Orthopedic Service Line

• Recipient of the Healthgrades Orthopedic Surgery Excellence Award™ - 7 years in a row (2005 - 2011)
• Recipient of the Healthgrades Joint Replacement Excellence Award™ - 5 years in a row (2007 - 2011)
• Ranked Among the Top 5% in the Nation for Overall Orthopedic Services - 9 years in a row (2003 - 2011)
• Ranked Among the Top 10% in the Nation for Joint Replacement - 9 years in a row (2003 - 2011)
• Ranked Top 10 in Indiana for Overall Orthopedic Services - 11 years in a row (2003 - 2013)
• Ranked Top 10 in Indiana for Joint Replacement - 9 years in a row (2003 - 2011)
• Ranked Top 10 in Indiana for Spine Surgery - 6 years in a row (2006 - 2011)
• Five-Star Rated for Overall Orthopedic Services - 11 years in a row (2003 - 2013)
• Five-Star Rated for Joint Replacement - 11 years in a row (2003 - 2013)
• Five-Star Rated for Total Knee Replacement - 11 years in a row (2003 - 2013)
• Five-Star Rated for Hip Fracture Repair - 11 years in a row (2003 - 2013)
• Five-Star Rated for Total Hip Replacement - 9 years in a row (2003 - 2011)
• Five-Star Rated for Back and Neck Surgery (Spinal Fusion) - 6 years in a row (2006 - 2011)

Stroke Service Line

• Recipient of the Healthgrades Stroke Care Excellence Award™ - 5 years in a row (2009-2013)
• Recipient of the Healthgrades Neurosciences Excellence AwardTM in 2013
• Recipient of the Healthgrades Neurosurgery Excellence AwardTM  in 2013
• Only hospital in Northwest Indiana to receive the Healthgrades Stroke Care Excellence Award™ - in 2012
• Ranked Among the Top 5% in the Nation for Treatment of Stroke - 5 years in a row (2009-2013)
• Ranked Among the Top 5% in the Nation for Neurosciences in 2013
• Ranked Among the Top 10% in the Nation for Neurosurgery in 2013
• Ranked Top 10 in Indiana for Treatment of Stroke - 5 years in a row (2009-2013)
• Five-Star Rated for Treatment of Stroke - 5 years in a row (2009-2013)
• Five-Star Recipient for Neurosciences for 2 Years in a Row (2012-2013)
• Five-Star Recipient for Neurosurgery in 2013
• Best Rated in Northwest Indiana for Neurosciences in 2012
• Ranked Top 5 in Indiana for Neurosciences in 2012

Pulmonary Service Line

• Recipient of the Healthgrades Pulmonary Care Excellence Award™ - 5 years in a row (2007 - 2011)
• Ranked Among the Top 10% in the Nation for Overall Pulmonary Services - 5 years in a row (2007 - 2011)
• Ranked Among the Top 5 in Indiana for Overall Pulmonary Services - 4 years in a row (2008 - 2011)
• Five-Star Rated for Overall Pulmonary Services in 2013
• Five-Star Rated for Treatment of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease - 7 years in a row (2007 - 2013)
• Five-Star Rated for Treatment of Pneumonia - 6 years in a row (2006 - 2011)

Critical Care Service Line

• Recipient of the Healthgrades Critical Care Excellence Award™ - 3 years in a row (2009-2011)
• Ranked Among the Top 5% in the Nation for Critical Care - (2011)
• Ranked Among the Top 10% in the Nation for Critical Care - 3 years in a row (2009-2011)
• Ranked Top 10 in Indiana for Overall Critical Care - 5 years in a row (2009-2013)
• Five-Star Rated for Overall Critical Care - 3 years in a row (2009-2011)
• Five-Star Rated for Treatment of Diabetic Acidosis and Coma - (2011)
• Five-Star Rated for Treatment of Pulmonary Embolism in 2013
• Five-Star Rated for Treatment of Respiratory Failure – 5 years in a row (2009-2013)

Vascular Service Line

• Best Rated in Northwest Indiana for Vascular Surgery in 2012
• Recipient of the Healthgrades Vascular Surgery Excellence Award™ - 6 years in a row (2005 - 2010)
• Ranked Among the Top 5% in the Nation for Vascular Surgery - 2 years in a row (2009-2010)
• Ranked Among the Top 10% in the Nation for Vascular Surgery - 8 years in a row (2003 - 2010)
• Ranked Among the Top 10 in Indiana for Vascular Surgery - 9 years in a row (2004 - 2012)
• Five-Star Rated for Overall Vascular Surgery - 2 years in a row (2009-2010)
• Five-Star Rated for Carotid Surgery - 8 years in a row (2003 - 2010)
• Five-Star Rated for Repair of Abdominal Aorta - 3 years in a row (2010-2012)

Gastrointestinal (GI) Service Line

• Recipient of the Healthgrades Gastrointestinal Care Excellence Award™ - 5 years in a row (2007 - 2011)
• Recipient of the Healthgrades Gastrointestinal Surgery Excellence Award™ - 3 years in a row (2008 - 2010)
• Ranked Among the Top 10% in the Nation for Overall GI Services - 5 years in a row (2007 - 2011)
• Ranked Among the Top 5% in the Nation for GI Surgery - 4 years in a row (2007 - 2010)
• Ranked Among the Top 10% in the Nation for GI Medical Treatment in 2013
• Ranked Top 10 in Indiana for Overall GI Services in 2013
• Ranked Top 10 in Indiana for GI Surgery - 5 years in a row (2007 - 2011)
• Ranked Top 5 in Indiana for GI Medical Treatment in 2013
• Five-Star Rated for Overall GI Services - 3 years in a row (2008 - 2010)
• Five-Star Rated for GI Surgery - 6 years in a row (2005 - 2010)
• Five-Star Rated for GI Medical Treatment - 3 years in a row (2008 - 2010)
• Five-Star Rated for GI Procedures and Surgeries - 3 years in a row (2009 - 2011)
• Five-Star Rated for Treatment of GI Bleed in 2013
• Five-Star Rated for Treatment of Bowel Obstruction in 2013
• Five-Star Rated for Cholecystectomy - 6 years in a row (2005 - 2010)

Prostatectomy

• Ranked among the Top 10% in the Nation for Prostectomy Surgery - (2010)
• Five-star Rated for Prostatectomy Surgery - 3 years in a row (2008-2010)

Women's Health

• Recipient of Healthgrades Women's Health Excellence Award™ - 4 years in a row (2009-2012)
• Ranked Among the Top 5% in the Nation for Women's Health Outcomes – 4 years in a row (2009-2012)
• Five-star rated for overall women's health outcomes - 4 years in a row (2009-2012)

100 Top Hospitals®

Community Hospital has been named among the nation’s top 100 performing hospitals following a study that focused on excellence in overall operations. The annual study, conducted by Thomson Reuters, provided an overview of the nation’s hospitals in terms of performance and the delivery of expert care. It found significant differences between the high and low-performing hospitals when measuring patient survival, patient safety and satisfaction, and length of stay and recovery.

In comparison to the 3,000 short-term, acute care, hospitals evaluated in nine areas: mortality, medical complications, patient safety, average length of stay, expenses, profitability, cash-to-debt ratio, patient satisfaction, and adherence to clinical standards of care - Community Hospital has been determined to be among the nation’s top 100 hospitals for delivering consistent, high levels of patient care and providing the best value in healthcare to residents.

Community Hospital Comprehensive Cancer Program (COMP)

The American College of Surgeons Commission on Cancer has granted the Oncology Program of Community Hospital a three-year accreditation with commendation. The American College of Surgeon's accreditation with commendation means that Community Hospital offers:

• Quality care close to home
• Comprehensive cancer care and services
• State-of-the-art technology
• Multi-specialty, team approach to treatment
• Access to clinical research trials
• Education and Support
• Cancer Registry with lifelong follow-up

One in four cancer centers have this accreditation

Hospital of the Year, (5/09)

Community Hospital has been named “Hospital of the Year” by the Lake Area United Way for our generous monetary contribution. Thanks to all our staff for contributing to this distinction.

Army National Guard Certification of Appreciation R, (5/09)

The Occupational Therapy Department was awarded the Army National Guard Certificate of Appreciation for helping an army sergeant regain control of his arm with BioSleeve Wearable Therapy. This technology stimulates muscles through electrical impulses to enable movement. In addition, Occupational Therapist, Michelle Walker, received individual recognition for her assessment and innovative rehabilitation using this therapy. This type of recognition is normally reserved for army personnel and not usually awarded to civilians.

Freedom Team Salute Award, (7/09)

Because of the generous contributions from our employees during the Hearts for Heroes campaign, Community Hospital and the Community Connects Committee were awarded the Freedom Team Salute from the U.S. Army.

Journey of Improvement, (4/12)

Community Hospital's Inpatient Departments received the Journey of Improvement award from Press Ganey in recognition of an improvement in 1.5 Mean Score Points for Inpatient Overall Patient Satisfaction during the period of January through March 2012.

Journey of Improvement, (4/12)

Community Hospital's Emergency Department received the Journey of Improvement award from Press Ganey in recognition of an improvement in 2.3 Mean Score Points for Emergency Department Patient Satisfaction during the period of January through March 2012.

Journey of Improvement, (9/09)

Community Hospital's Inpatient Departments received the Journey of Improvement award from Press Ganey in recognition of an improvement in 1.3 Mean Score Points in Overall Patient Satisfaction during the period of April through June 2009.

Gold Performance Achievement Award (10/09)

Community Hospital received the American College of Cardiology Foundation's 2009 Gold Performance Achievement Award for the outstanding treatment of heart attack patients. This award is given to organizations who achieved 24 consecutive calendar months of sustaining 85% for all applicable performance measures in the care for high-risk myocardial infarction patients with STEMI or NSTEMI and Community Hospital is among only 121 hospitals nationwide to receive this distinction.

Tissue Award from Gift of Hope (12/09)

Community Hospital is the recipient of the Tissue Award from the Gift of Hope, Organ & Tissue Donor Network. This award is presented to the top hospitals for their outstanding achievements in saving and enhancing lives through organ and tissue donation. Community Hospital was one of 16 hospitals to receive the 2009 Top Tissue Donor Hospital award.

Community Hospital 2009/2010
Consumer Choice Award

Healthcare consumers have spoken and their choice is Community Hospital in Munster. National Research Corporation (NRC) announced that the hospital is one of its 2009/2010 Consumer Choice Award winners. Community Hospital in Munster joins the ranks among the top hospitals from more than 300 markets throughout the United States as providing the highest quality care.

Read More...

Reprinted with permission of The Chronicle,
January 13, 2010.

American Association of Cardiovascular & Pulmonary Rehabilitation

Community Hospital’s Cardiac Rehabilitation program has been recertified by the American Association of Cardiovascular & Pulmonary Rehabilitation (AACVPR) for meeting the criteria for essential standards of care. This certification is based on performance in reducing morbidity, mortality, and disability form cardiovascular and pulmonary disease through education, prevention, rehabilitation, research and aggressive disease management.

Anthem Blue Distinction

Community Hospital has been designated a Blue Distinction Center for Cardiac Care® by Blue Cross and Blue Shield. This distinction is given to hospitals that have demonstrated their expertise in delivering quality healthcare, resulting in better overall outcomes of cardiac patients. Blue Distinction Centers for cardiac care provide a full range of cardiac care services, including inpatient cardiac care, cardiac rehabilitation, cardiac catheterization and cardiac surgery.

The Joint Commission

The Joint Commission recognizes Community Hospital for meeting the national standards set for medical staff, hospital personnel, patient care and all aspects of the hospital's operation. The Joint Commission has awarded Community Hospital Accreditation, signifying exemplary performance. Community Hospital is:

• Accredited by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations

Stroke Center of Excellence

• The Stroke Center of Excellence at Community Hospital earned the Gold Seal of Approval™ from The Joint Commission for Primary Stroke Centers (3/2010)

Chest Pain Center with PCI

• The Society of Chest Pain Centers granted full accreditation to the Chest Pain Center with PCI at Community Hospital (5/2011)

National Accreditation Program for Breast Centers

• Accredited by the American College of Surgeons National Accreditation Program for Breast Centers (NAPBC) for the breast cancer program (6/2011)

American College of Radiology

• Accredited by the American College of Radiology for CT
• Accredited by the American College of Radiology in Magnetic Resonance Imaging for Siemens MAGNETOM Symphony
• Accredited by the American College of Radiology for Mammography Services
• Accredited by the American College of Radiology for Nuclear Medicine
• Accredited by the American College of Radiology for PET
• Accredited by the American College of Radiology for Ultrasound

Other Accreditations

• Accredited by the College of American Pathologists (CAP) for the department of Pathology in breast tissue processing and interpretation.
• Accredited by the College of American Pathologists (Medical Laboratory)
• Accredited through the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (Nuclear Medicine Department)
• Accredited by the Federal Drug Administration (FDA) for Mammography Services
• Accredited by the American College of Surgeons (Oncology Program)
• Accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (Rehabilitation Center at Community)
• Licensed by the Indiana State Department of Health
• Licensed Laboratory by CMS - Centers for Medicare/Medicaid

U.S. News & World Report

The hospitals of Community Healthcare System are among the Best Hospitals in the greater Chicagoland area, according to U.S. News & World Report’s first metro area ranking. The rankings single out some 622 hospitals in or near major cities with a record of high performance in key medical specialties, including 132 of the 152 hospitals already identified as the best in the nation. There are nearly 5,000 hospitals nationwide.

To be ranked in a metro area, hospitals need to score in the top 25 percent among its peers in at least one of 16 medical specialties. U.S. News created “Best Hospitals” more than 20 years ago to identify hospitals exceptionally skilled in handling the most difficult cases, such as brain tumors typically considered inoperable and delicate pancreatic procedures.

Gift of Hope Organ & Tissue Donor Network

Gift of Hope Organ & Tissue Donor Network has named the hospitals of Community Healthcare System a “Lifesaving Partner” for outstanding achievement in addressing the region’s critical need for organ, eye and tissue donations. The hospitals of Community Healthcare System have been selected among hundreds of hospital, forensic and civic professionals who work to help coordinate donation, enable lifesaving transplants, support the families of donors, educate other healthcare professionals and promote awareness of the critical need for donation.

Staff at the hospitals work throughout the year to coordinate outreach programs for donor families, organize registration drives and sponsor events relating to the Flags Across America program. At Community Hospital, St. Catherine Hospital and St. Mary Medical Center, the “Donate Life” flag is flown in honor of a donor for 48 hours as a silent salute. Each donor family receives a card with a garden-sized version of the flag as a keepsake and to honor the generous gift provided by their loved one.

50 Best Healthcare System

Community Healthcare System has been recognized in a study on hospital quality and efficiency as one of the nation's top 50 performing health systems. The study, by Thomson Reuters, offered a look at how this nation's healthcare systems are performing. It found significant differences between high and low-performing systems in terms of patient survival, complication, patient safety and how quickly patients may return to daily life.

Community Healthcare System has performed in the top 20 percent of healthcare systems nationwide for five measures of performance: mortality, complications, patient safety; length of stay and use of evidence-based practices. Top performing healthcare systems were found to have: 25 percent fewer mortalities; 19 percent fewer complications; 13 percent fewer patient safety incidents; better core measures compliance; and 16 percent shorter length of stay.

Fire Starter

The hospitals of Community Healthcare System have been presented with the Fire Starter award for operational excellence by the Studer Group®. This distinction is awarded to healthcare organizations across the United States that demonstrate marked improvements in patient satisfaction, employee workplace experience, and, reinvestment into their respective communities.

Chanute Prize

The Society of Innovators of Northwest Indiana has awarded the hospitals of Community Healthcare System with the Chanute Prize for Team Innovation for the "Breast Care: Same-Day Results" project. Community Healthcare System's "Breast Care: Same Day Results" project consists of a fast-track system to advise women of the results of their screening mammograms within the same visit and should a non-surgical biopsy be required, know the results the same day the test is performed. The "Same-Day Results" program now spans all three Community Healthcare System facilities/Women's Diagnostic Centers.

American Association of Blood Banks

The American Association of Blood Banks (AABB) has awarded full accreditation to the hospital laboratories of Community Healthcare System. AABB's accreditation program strives to improve the quality and safety of collecting, processing, testing, distributing and administering blood and blood products by assessing the quality and operational systems in place within a facility. The hospitals voluntarily seek accreditations from professional organizations, such as the AABB, to ensure that they are following nationally-recognized practices to deliver quality care.

CAP Accreditation

The Commission on Laboratory Accreditation of the College of American Pathologists (CAP) has awarded the laboratories of Community Healthcare System with a system-wide accreditation. While Community Healthcare System's facilities are part of some 6,800 laboratories that have received CAP-accreditation nationwide, there are only about 100 integrated system laboratories across the United States that have earned this same distinction. This stringent inspection program has been designed to ensure the highest standards of care for laboratory patients.