Hospital Data From Leapfrog Puts Cooper on Top
Cooper University Health Care has received the highest rating of the 51 participating hospitals in the Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey network for quality and safety measures calculated by The Leapfrog Group. Cooper received a $250,000 check that was presented by Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey (HBCBSNJ) this week. This is the highest possible amount received by a New Jersey hospital in this program.
The Horizon Hospital Recognition Program was developed in 2006 by HBCBSNJ clinical and administrative personnel and national experts from The Leapfrog Group to reward those hospitals who are top performers. The recognition is given to New Jersey hospitals for providing safe, high-quality and effective hospital care to patients. HBCBSNJ uses the results of the Leapfrog Hospital Survey to determine a hospital’s recognition and reward eligibility.
“Quality and patient safety are two of the most important measures in our health system and this recognition shows we continue to put great emphasis on all of our programs from an increase in hand washing to what catheter products are used that create a safer environment for our patients,” said John P. Sheridan, Jr., President and Chief Executive Officer of The Cooper Health System.
Cooper is the only New Jersey hospital in the top 10 percent of highest performing hospitals that completed the survey nationally. There are 1,400 hospitals throughout the country that completed the Leap Frog hospital survey. Cooper University Hospital scored 81 points in the compilation surpassing the average score of 59 by hospitals throughout the country. The New Jersey average score is 61. Some of the areas in which Cooper scored highest include quality in abdominal aortic aneurisms, quality in high risk delivery of a baby, medication safety and rate of hospital injuries.
“We are very proud of this achievement,” said Adrienne Kirby, PhD, President and Chief Executive Officer of Cooper University Health Care. “We have developed lean six sigma methodologies for integrating new processes when it comes to our quality and safety in patient care. The changes that we have made so far over the past five years are only the beginning as we look closely at our scores and refine our policies in patient care.”
“We commend Cooper University Hospital for participating in the Horizon Hospital Recognition Program,” said Kevin Conlin, Executive Vice President, Healthcare Management, Horizon BCBSNJ. “By volunteering to be measured against rigorous national criteria and scored on performance by the Leapfrog Group, participating hospitals demonstrate their commitment to the highest standards of safety and quality for their patients.”