Newport News, VA – Riverside Regional Medical Center was recognized as a Top Performer on Key Quality Measures by The Joint Commission today for the second year in a row.

This is the second year The Joint Commission, the leading accreditor of health care organizations in America, has recognized hospitals for consistently using evidence-based processes that are shown to improve care for conditions such as heart attack, heart failure, pneumonia and surgical care. Riverside is one of 620 U.S. hospitals, representing 18 percent of more than 3,400 eligible accredited hospitals, to achieve this honor, and is one of only 244 hospitals nationally to achieve this distinction two years in a row.

Riverside was recognized for its exemplary care in four areas: heart attack, heart failure, pneumonia and surgical care. The ratings are based on data reported to The Joint Commission during the 2011 calendar year.

To be named a Top Performer, hospitals had to meet two criteria. First, hospitals must achieve 95 percent or above on a composite score that includes all the accountability measures reported to The Joint Commission. Second, hospitals must meet 95 percent performance on every accountability measure, except in cases of 30 or fewer eligible cases. A 95 percent score means a hospital provided an evidence-based practice 95 times out of 100 opportunities. An example of evidence-based practice is giving heart attack patients aspirin upon arrival or giving antibiotics an hour before surgery.

"This distinction means Riverside Regional Medical Center consistently gives patients the right care they need at the right time," said Patrick Parcells, M.D., Administrator of Riverside Regional Medical Center. "This is part of our Riverside Care Difference of providing evidence-based care to achieve the best possible health results. Patients can have confidence knowing that Riverside is the destination for top-rate care on the Peninsula."

In addition to being included in today's release of The Joint Commission's "Improving America's Hospitals" annual report, Riverside will be recognized on The Joint Commission's Quality Check website (www.qualitycheck.org).

Related:

• Riverside Regional Medical Center
• Quality and Patient Satisfaction