2006 Healthgrades – Women’s Services
GSMC News – GSMC RECOGNIZED FOR CLINICAL EXCELLENCE IN WOMEN’S HEALTH
Longview, TX
Good Shepherd Medical Center announced that it has been recognized with a five-star rating for clinical excellence in women’s health services from HealthGrades, the nation’s leading independent source for healthcare quality information. In the Third Annual Report on Women’s Health Outcomes in U.S. Hospitals released by HealthGrades, Good Shepherd Medical Center ranks among the top 15 percent in the nation for women’s health services, which includes cardiac and stroke outcomes for women, as well as maternity care. Good Shepherd Medical Center is the only five-star rated hospital for women’s health in the Lufkin-Tyler Area and one of only seven five-star rated hospitals in Texas for women’s health.
Twice as many women die of cardiovascular disease than all forms of cancer combined, according to the American Heart Association. Until recently, it was not widely known by the general public that women can present symptoms of a heart attack differently than men, which can lead to later diagnosis for women resulting in worse outcomes. Many women who are at high risk for cardiovascular disease, such as those with high cholesterol and obesity, do not recognize these risks. However, recent campaigns have raised awareness regarding the unique risk factors and the need for timeliness of diagnosis and treatment for cardiovascular disease in women.
The 2006/2007 HealthGrades Women’s Health ratings combine a hospital’s maternity care rating with clinical performance in cardiac services for women (including heart surgery, heart attack, heart failure, and cardiac interventions) and treatment of stroke. “These ratings reflect that quality is a priority at Good Shepherd,” said Ruby Brewer, Director of Case Management and Quality Improvement.
“Each year, HealthGrades assesses hospital quality and publishes every hospital’s ratings online,” explained Samantha Collier, MD, HealthGrades’ vice president of medical affairs. “Three million people visit healthgrades.com each month in order to determine the hospitals in their communities that provide the highest quality care. Women in Longview and surrounding area should be aware of the information available regarding healthcare quality and the outstanding recognition received by Good Shepherd Medical Center for women’s health.” Collier added.