Consumer Reports Magazine Recognizes Woodland Memorial’s Patient Safety and Infection Control Efforts as among the Best in Nationwide Analysis
Woodland, CA, July 10, 2012 – Woodland Memorial Hospital tied for best in California for patient safety in a newly released study commissioned by Consumer Reports, the world’s largest independent product-testing organization. The study – a first of its kind by Consumer Reports – studied 1,159 hospitals nationwide (including 167 California hospitals), using the most current data available from government and independent sources.
In analyzing patient safety, Consumer Reports focused on several factors, including infection rates, re-admission rates 30 days past discharge, appropriate use of CT scans and staff communication on medication use. Woodland Memorial received a score of 68 for overall patient safety, tying with two other hospitals for the highest score in the state. The top 10 hospitals nationwide all scored between 68 and 72 in overall patient safety. Woodland Memorial also received the highest score possible in preventing infections in central-line catheters and following surgery, as well as for the use of CT scans.
Patient safety and infection prevention have long been a focus at Woodland Memorial. “Our physicians and staff consider patient safety a top priority and we have implemented numerous practices and procedures to achieve our patient safety goals,” says Kevin Vaziri, Woodland Healthcare President. “To have these efforts be nationally recognized is an honor and a testament to the exceptional patient care provided here at Woodland Healthcare.” Vaziri also points out that efforts to improve patient safety and reduce infection rates not only save lives, but also contribute to shorter hospital stays and reduced healthcare costs. Data for the Consumer Reports article (“How Safe is Your Hospital?” Consumer Reports, August 2012) was taken from the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services for all indicators except infection rates, which came from the Leapfrog Group.
