Miami, FL — May 1, 2017– Baptist Hospital attained Magnet recognition for the fifth consecutive time, a testament to its continued dedication to high-quality nursing practice. The American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Magnet Recognition Program® distinguishes healthcare organizations that meet rigorous standards for nursing excellence. The designation is the nation’s highest form of recognition for nursing excellence and a benchmark for the quality of care patients receive.

Baptist Hospital is part of the less than 1 percent of hospitals in the world to receive a fifth designation. In addition, only 22 hospitals in Florida and less than 7 percent of the hospitals in the nation have achieved Magnet recognition. Baptist Hospital was the first in the state of Florida to receive the prestigious Magnet recognition in 1998.
“Magnet recognition is an incredible honor and reflects our commitment to delivering the highest quality of care to this community,” said Bo Boulenger, the hospital’s chief executive officer. “We’re a better organization today because of the Magnet recognition we first achieved 19 years ago.”

The Magnet Model provides a framework for nursing practice, research, and measurement of outcomes. Through this framework, ANCC evaluates applicants across a number of components and dimensions to gauge an organization’s nursing excellence. The foundation of this model comprises various elements deemed essential to delivering superior patient care. These include the quality of nursing leadership and coordination and collaboration across specialties, as well as processes for measuring and improving the quality and delivery of care.

“To earn Magnet recognition once was a great accomplishment and an incredible source of pride for our nurses. Our repeated achievement of this credential underscores the foundation of excellence and values that drive our entire staff to strive harder each day to meet the health care needs of the people we serve,” said Becky Montesino-King, DNP, RN, NEA-BC, CENP, vice president and chief nursing officer, Baptist Hospital and Baptist Children’s Hospital. “Magnet recognition raised the bar for patient care and inspired every member of our team to achieve excellence every day.”

Magnet designation is widely accepted as the gold standard of nursing excellence. An organization seeking to reapply for Magnet recognition must provide documented evidence of how Magnet concepts, performance and quality were sustained and improved over the four-year period. Just 452 U.S. health care organizations out of over 6,300 U.S. hospitals have achieved Magnet recognition. Research demonstrates that Magnet recognition provides specific benefits to health care organizations and their communities. U.S. News & World Report’s annual showcase of “America’s Best Hospitals” includes Magnet recognition in its ranking criteria for quality of inpatient care. Health care organizations must reapply for Magnet recognition every four years based on adherence to Magnet concepts and demonstrated improvements in patient care and quality.

About Baptist Hospital
Baptist Hospital is part of Baptist Health South Florida, the largest healthcare organization in the region, with seven hospitals (Baptist Hospital, Baptist Children’s Hospital, Doctors Hospital, Homestead Hospital, Mariners Hospital, South Miami Hospital and West Kendall Baptist Hospital), nearly 50 outpatient and urgent care facilities, Baptist Health Medical Group, Baptist Health Quality Network and internationally renowned centers of excellence. A not-for-profit organization supported by philanthropy and committed to our faith-based charitable mission of medical excellence, Baptist Health has approximately 16,000 employees and 2,300 affiliated physicians. Baptist Health South Florida has been recognized by Fortune as one of the 100 Best Companies to Work For in America and by Ethisphere as one of the World’s Most Ethical Companies. For more information, visit BaptistHealth.net and connect with us on Facebook at facebook.com/BaptistHealthSF and on Twitter and Instagram @BaptistHealthSF.

About ANCC’s Magnet Recognition Program
The Magnet Recognition Program — administered by the American Nurses Credentialing Center, the largest and most prominent nurses credentialing organization in the world —identifies health care organizations that provide the very best in nursing care and professionalism in nursing practice. The Magnet Recognition Program serves as the gold standard for nursing excellence and provides consumers with the ultimate benchmark for measuring quality of care. For more information about the Magnet Recognition Program and current statistics, visit www.nursecredentialing.org/magnet.

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National three-year award with gold, silver, bronze designations marks a significant milestone on the path to exceptional patient care and achieving a healthy work environment

Miami, FL – February 28, 2017 – The American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN), Aliso Viejo, Calif., recently conferred a gold-level Beacon Award for Excellence on the George Batchelor and Gloria Vasta Lewis Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at Baptist Children’s Hospital.

The Beacon Award for Excellence is a distinct accomplishment on the path to exceptional patient care and healthy work environments. It recognizes unit caregivers who successfully improve patient outcomes and align practices with AACN’s six Healthy Work Environment Standards. Units that achieve this three-year, three-level award with gold, silver or bronze designations meet national criteria consistent with Magnet Recognition, the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award and the National Quality Healthcare Award.

“We are proud of our doctors, nurses and dedicated staff for accomplishing this significant milestone,” said Becky Montesino-King, DNP, RN, NEA-BC, CENP, Vice President/Chief Nursing Officer, Baptist Hospital of Miami and Baptist Children’s Hospital. “Their level of dedication to our smallest and most vulnerable patients and their families shows the compassionate and quality care given daily.”

The NICU at Baptist Children’s Hospital earned a gold award by meeting the following evidence-based Beacon Award for Excellence criteria:
• Leadership Structures and Systems
• Appropriate Staffing and Staff Engagement
• Effective Communication, Knowledge Management, Learning and Development
• Evidence-Based Practice and Processes
• Outcome Measurement

AACN President Clareen Wiencek, RN, PhD, ACNP, ACHPN, applauds the commitment of the caregivers at the NICU at Baptist Children’s Hospital for working together to meet and exceed the high standards set forth by the Beacon Award for Excellence. These dedicated healthcare professionals join other members of the exceptional community of nurses who set the standard for optimal patient care. “The Beacon Award for Excellence recognizes caregivers in stellar units whose consistent and systematic approach to evidence-based care optimizes patient outcomes. Units that receive this national recognition serve as role models to others on their journey to excellent patient and family care,” she explains.

About Baptist Health South Florida
Baptist Health South Florida is the largest healthcare organization in the region, with seven hospitals (Baptist Hospital, Baptist Children’s Hospital, Doctors Hospital, Homestead Hospital, Mariners Hospital, South Miami Hospital and West Kendall Baptist Hospital), nearly 50 outpatient and urgent care facilities, Baptist Health Medical Group, Baptist Health Quality Network and internationally renowned centers of excellence. The not-for-profit, faith-based Baptist Health has approximately 16,000 employees and 2,400 affiliated physicians. Baptist Health South Florida has been recognized as one of the 100 Best Companies to Work For in America and as one of the World’s Most Ethical Companies. For more information, visit BaptistHealth.net and connect with us on Facebook at facebook.com/BaptistHealthSF and on Twitter and Instagram @BaptistHealthSF.

About the Beacon Award for Excellence
Established in 2003, the Beacon Award for Excellence offers a road map to help guide exceptional care through improved outcomes and greater overall patient satisfaction. U.S. or Canadian units where patients receive their principal nursing care after hospital admission qualify for this excellence award. Units that receive the Beacon Award for Excellence meet criteria in six categories: leadership structures and systems; appropriate staffing and staff engagement; effective communication, knowledge management, learning and development; evidence-based practice and processes; and outcome measurement. To learn more, visit www.aacn.org/beacon or call (800) 899-2226.

About the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses
Founded in 1969 and based in Aliso Viejo, Calif., the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN) is the largest specialty nursing organization in the world. AACN joins together the interests of more than 500,000 acute and critical care nurses and claims more than 235 chapters worldwide. The organization’s vision is to create a healthcare system driven by the needs of patients and their families in which acute and critical care nurses make their optimal contribution. To learn more about AACN, visit www.aacn.org, connect with the organization on Facebook at www.facebook.com/aacnface or follow AACN on Twitter at www.twitter.com/aacnme.

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MIAMI, FL – November 10, 2016 — Miami Cancer Institute at Baptist Health South Florida has expanded two of its signature cancer care departments, with the additions of psychosomatic psychiatrist Geetha Nampiaparampil, M.D. and psychologist Regina Melchor, Psy.D to its Cancer Patient Support Center. These physicians will focus on the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of disorders that contribute to a cancer patient’s emotional distress. The two will work closely with M. Beatriz Currier, M.D., Miami Cancer Institute’s director of Cancer Patient Support Center, to enhance quality of life and health outcomes following a cancer diagnosis.

In addition, Miami Cancer Institute’s Symptom Management & Palliative Medicine Service continues to expand with the added expertise of Suleyki Medina, M.D., who joins Mariana Khawand-Azouli, M.D, as one of the department’s two initial attending physicians.

“Having representatives of many different disciplines involved in patient care is an important part of the Institute’s mission to treat the whole individual, not just the disease,” said Michael J. Zinner, M.D., founding CEO and executive medical director of Miami Cancer Institute. “These physicians bring highly specialized skills and experience that will enable Miami Cancer Institute to deliver personalized, patient- and family-centered care from diagnosis through survivorship.”

Dr. Nampiaparampil is Board-certified in psychiatry and psychosomatic medicine. She received her medical degree from Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine in Chicago, and completed her psychiatry residency at Saint Vincent’s Hospital-Manhattan/New York Medical College and St. Luke’s Roosevelt Hospital/Columbia College of Physicians and Surgeons, both in New York. She also completed a psychosomatic medicine fellowship at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center/New York Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical Center. She has conducted research studies related to her specialty and is published in numerous peer-reviewed journals and text books. Prior to joining Miami Cancer Institute, Dr. Nampiaparampil was an assistant professor of psychiatry at Emory University School of Medicine in Atlanta, an attending psychiatrist at Maimonides Medical Center in Brooklyn, and most recently an attending psychiatrist at JFK Medical Center in Palm Beach, Florida.

Regina Melchor, Psy.D., earned a Doctor of Psychology degree in clinical psychology from Albizu University in Miami, graduating summa cum laude. She completed a psychology residency at the Institute for Child and Family Health, also in Miami, and a fellowship in psychosomatic medicine and psycho-oncology at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center/New York Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical Center. She is an adjunct faculty member in the psychology departments at Albizu University and Nova Southeastern University in Fort Lauderdale, and has held teaching roles at several higher education institutions. She has published numerous articles in medical journals and frequently lectures on her specialty to peers and community members. She is also affiliated with several professional associations, including the American Psychosocial Oncology Society and the International Psychosocial Oncology Society.

Dr. Medina is Board-certified in internal medicine and geriatrics and is one of two initial attending physicians of Miami Cancer Institute’s Symptom Management & Palliative Medicine service. She received her medical degree from St. George’s University School of Medicine in Grenada, West Indies, and completed a residency in internal medicine at NYU Lutheran Medical Center in Brooklyn, where she was honored with the Department of Neurology and Rehabilitation Award for Excellence. She also completed two fellowships — in geriatrics and hospice and palliative care — at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine/ Jackson Memorial Hospital. Dr. Medina is a member of the American College of Physicians, American Geriatrics Society and American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine. Dr. Medina and Dr. Khawand-Azouli will both report directly to Leonard Kalman, M.D., Miami Cancer Institute’s deputy director and chief medical officer.

Miami Cancer Institute will begin to move into its new, $430 million state-of-the-art facility on the Baptist Hospital of Miami campus early next year. Opening day for patient care is planned for January 16, 2017.

About Miami Cancer Institute
Baptist Health South Florida is developing Miami Cancer Institute into a destination cancer center known for its leading clinical care, exceptional patient experience, advanced clinical research and state-of-the-art technology – including the first proton therapy center in South Florida, Latin America and the Caribbean. To accelerate its mission of hope, caring and innovation, Miami Cancer Institute has announced plans to join the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Alliance, a dynamic partnership that will ultimately enable cancer patients to access potential breakthrough therapies in South Florida. For more information, visit MiamiCancerInstitute.com.

Miami Cancer Institute is part of Baptist Health South Florida, the largest healthcare organization in the region, with seven hospitals (Baptist Hospital, Baptist Children’s Hospital, Doctors Hospital, Homestead Hospital, Mariners Hospital, South Miami Hospital and West Kendall Baptist Hospital), nearly 50 outpatient and urgent care facilities, Baptist Health Medical Group, Baptist Health Quality Network and internationally renowned centers of excellence. The not-for-profit, faith-based Baptist Health has approximately 16,000 employees and 2,300 affiliated physicians. Baptist Health South Florida has been recognized by Fortune as one of the 100 Best Companies to Work For in America and by Ethisphere as one of the World’s Most Ethical Companies. For more information, visit BaptistHealth.net and connect with us on Facebook at facebook.com/BaptistHealthSF and on Twitter and Instagram @BaptistHealthSF.

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Baptist Hospital Ranked Best Hospital in Miami-Dade County

Baptist Health South Florida is once again recognized by U.S. News and World Report for being among the best healthcare providers in the region with Baptist Hospital, Homestead Hospital, South Miami Hospital and West Kendall Baptist Hospital earning 25 high-performing honors in 12 types of care.   Baptist Health hospitals won four of the top five slots in Miami-Dade County, with Baptist Hospital coming in at number one in the county.

“We are proud to be the most decorated healthcare organization in the region once again,” said Brian E. Keeley, president and chief executive officer of Baptist Health. “It’s an honor we share with the thousands of physicians, dedicated employees, nurses, board members, donors and volunteers who work tirelessly to provide compassionate quality care to our patients each and every day.”

In the Miami- Ft. Lauderdale region, Baptist Hospital is ranked #2, South Miami Hospital is ranked #4 and Homestead Hospital and West Kendall Baptist Hospital are tied at #6. Only 504 hospitals (out of approximately 5,000 hospitals nationwide), including Baptist Hospital, South Miami Hospital, Homestead Hospital and West Kendall Baptist Hospital were named to the list of  Best Regional Hospitals, putting them among the top 10 percent of hospitals in the country. In addition, Baptist Health’s Centers of Excellence – Miami Cancer Institute, Miami Cardiac & Vascular Institute, Miami Orthopedics & Sports Medicine Institute and Neuroscience Center – were all recognized as high-performing in their respective area of expertise.

The U.S. News Best Hospitals rankings, now in their 27th year, help guide patients to hospitals that deliver outstanding care across 25 specialties, procedures and conditions. The Best Hospitals methodologies include objective measures such as patient survival, the number of times a given procedure is performed, infection rates, adequacy of nurse staffing and more.

“U.S. News evaluates nearly 5,000 hospitals nationwide,” said Ben Harder, chief of health analysis at U.S. News. “A hospital that emerged from our analysis as one of the best has much to be proud of.”

For 2016-17, 153 hospitals were ranked in at least one specialty, while 1,628 received a high performing rating in one or more specialties, procedures or conditions. In rankings by state and metro area, U.S. News recognized hospitals that were high-performing across multiple areas of care.

Best Hospitals was produced by U.S. News with RTI International, a leading research organization based in Research Triangle Park, N.C.

About Baptist Health South Florida
Baptist Health South Florida is the largest healthcare organization in the region, with seven hospitals (Baptist Hospital, Baptist Children’s Hospital, Doctors Hospital, Homestead Hospital, Mariners Hospital, South Miami Hospital and West Kendall Baptist Hospital), nearly 50 outpatient and urgent care facilities, Baptist Health Medical Group, Baptist Health Quality Network and internationally renowned centers of excellence. The not-for-profit, faith-based Baptist Health has approximately 16,000 employees and 2,400 affiliated physicians. Baptist Health South Florida has been recognized as one of the 100 Best Companies to Work For in America and as one of the World’s Most Ethical Companies. For more information, visit BaptistHealth.net and connect with us on Facebook at facebook.com/BaptistHealthSF and on Twitter and Instagram @BaptistHealthSF.

Contact: Georgi Pipkin, 786-596-6534

Five Baptist Health Hospitals Receive “A” Grades on Leapfrog Group’s Most Recent Hospital Safety Score; Three Baptist Health Hospitals Receive “Straight A’s” for Consistent Performance

All eligible hospitals operated by Baptist Health South Florida have been recognized by a healthcare industry watchdog group for their dedication to patient safety. Baptist Hospital, Doctors Hospital, Homestead Hospital, South Miami Hospital and West Kendall Baptist Hospital each received an “A” grade in the Leapfrog Group’s Fall 2015 Hospital Safety Score, which rates how well hospitals protect patients from preventable medical errors, injuries and infections within the hospital. As a critical-access hospital, Mariners Hospital, which is also operated by Baptist Health, is not eligible to participate in the survey.

Baptist Health is one of the few healthcare systems in the country to have multiple hospitals earn consistent Straight A’s for eight report cards in a row. Baptist Hospital, Doctors Hospital and Homestead Hospital have earned Straight A’s since the spring of 2012, the first time these ratings were released. Only approximately five percent of graded hospitals nationwide have consistently maintained an “A.”

Thinh Tran, M.D., MBA, corporate vice president and chief medical and quality officer for Baptist Health South Florida, says these scores are a validation of the Baptist Health team’s commitment to patient safety. “It is part of the culture at Baptist Health South Florida to provide the safest care and best outcomes for our patients and that is reflected in these grades,” he said. “It really is a celebration and recognition for our doctors, nurses, staff and the entire health care team. I am very proud of our teams across the system.”

Launched in 2012, the Hospital Safety Score assigns A, B, C, D and F grades to more than 2,500 U.S. hospitals twice per year. It is calculated by top patient safety experts, peer-reviewed, fully transparent and free to the public. For more information about the Hospital Safety Score or to view the list of state rankings, please visit www.hospitalsafetyscore.org.

About Baptist Health South Florida
Baptist Health is the largest healthcare organization in the region, with seven hospitals (Baptist Hospital, Baptist Children’s Hospital, Doctors Hospital, Homestead Hospital, Mariners Hospital, South Miami Hospital and West Kendall Baptist Hospital) and more than 30 outpatient and urgent care facilities spanning three counties. The not-for-profit, faith-based Baptist Health has more than 15,000 employees and 2,200 affiliated physicians, and also includes Baptist Health Medical Group, Baptist Outpatient Services and internationally renowned centers of excellence. Baptist Health Foundation, the organization’s fundraising arm, supports services at all hospitals and facilities. Baptist Health was listed by Fortune magazine as one of the 100 Best Companies to Work For in America (#23 in the nation) and has remained on the list for 15 years. It was also recognized as one of the World’s Most Ethical Companies for the fifth year in a row by the Ethisphere Institute.

About The Leapfrog Group
Founded in 2000 by large employers and other purchasers, The Leapfrog Group is a national nonprofit organization driving a movement for giant leaps forward in the quality and safety of American health care. The flagship Leapfrog Hospital Survey collects and transparently reports hospital performance, empowering purchasers to find the highest-value care and giving consumers the lifesaving information they need to make informed decisions. Hospital Safety Score, Leapfrog’s other main initiative, assigns letter grades to hospitals based on their record of patient safety, helping consumers protect themselves and their families from errors, injuries, accidents, and infections.

Georgi Morales Pipkin, Baptist Health South Florida (786) 596-6534; [email protected]

MIAMI, FL – October 29, 2015 –Pediatric oncologist and hematologist Doured Daghistani, M.D., has been named president of medical staff for Baptist Hospital, part of Baptist Health South Florida. Dr. Daghistani succeeds outgoing President Michael Fili, M.D.

Prior to this appointment, Dr. Daghistani served a four-year term as vice president of medical staff at Baptist Hospital. He also has held the role of secretary-treasurer. In addition to serving as chairman of Baptist Children’s Hospital Executive Board, Dr. Daghistani is the medical director of pediatric hematology and oncology at Baptist Children’s Hospital and chief of pediatric hematology and oncology at Miami Cancer Institute.

Dr. Daghistani is Board-certified in pediatrics with a subspecialty in pediatric hematology and oncology. He earned his medical degree at the University of Damascus, Syria, and completed his residency and fellowship at the University of Miami.

Joining Dr. Daghistani as officers on the Baptist Hospital medical staff is obstetrician and gynecologist Maria Victoria Lopez-Beecham, M.D., who was elected vice president, pediatric neonatologist Ernesto Valdes, M.D., who was elected secretary-treasurer, and cardiothoracic surgeon, Niberto Moreno, M.D. who was named member at large.

Dr. Lopez-Beecham is Board-certified in obstetrics and gynecology. She received her medical degree from the University of Florida, College of Medicine. She completed her residency at the Women and Infants Hospital, Brown University Medical School.

Dr. Valdez served a four two-year terms as chief of pediatrics at Baptist Children’s Hospital. He earned his medical degree at Universidad Central del Este in the Dominican Republic with a Fifth Pathway Certificate from College of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey (CMDNJ). He completed his residency at University of Miami School of Medicine and a fellowship in neonatal and perinatal medicine at Texas Children’s Hospital/Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, Texas. He is Board-certified in neonatal and perinatal medicine.

Prior to his appointment as member at large, Dr. Moreno served ex-officio member of Baptist Hospital medical staff. In addition to serving on the medical staff, Dr. Moreno is chief of cardiothoracic surgery for Baptist Health Cardiac & Thoracic Surgical Group and Baptist Health Medical Group. He is Board-certified in thoracic and cardiac surgery.

Baptist Health is the largest healthcare organization in the region, with seven hospitals (Baptist Hospital, Baptist Children’s Hospital, Doctors Hospital, Homestead Hospital, Mariners Hospital, South Miami Hospital and West Kendall Baptist Hospital) and more than 30 outpatient and urgent care facilities spanning three counties. The not-for-profit, faith-based Baptist Health has more than 15,000 employees and 2,200 affiliated physicians, and also includes Baptist Health Medical Group, Baptist Outpatient Services and internationally renowned Centers of Excellence. Baptist Health was just listed by Fortune magazine as one of the 100 Best Companies to Work For in America and has remained on the list for 15 years. It also was recognized as one of the World’s Most Ethical Companies for the fifth year in a row by the Ethisphere Institute. Baptist Health Foundation, the organization’s fundraising arm, supports services at all hospitals and facilities. Visit BaptistHealth.net.

Baptist Hospital ranked #1 hospital in all of South Florida, #6 in the state; Homestead Hospital ranked #7 in South Florida, #23 in the state

Baptist Health South Florida is once again recognized by U.S. News and World Report for being among the best, with two hospitals on the “Best Regional Hospitals” list. Baptist Hospital ranked as the number one hospital in all of South Florida, tops among Miami-Dade, Monroe, Broward and Palm Beach County hospitals, and number six in the state of Florida.  Homestead Hospital also made the “Best Regional Hospitals” list, ranked at number seven in South Florida and number 23 in the state.

The annual rankings take into account a variety of factors, including assessments in 16 different specialties. The “Best Hospitals” rankings, which have appeared annually since 1990, recognize hospitals that excel at treating patients who need an exceptionally high level of care. U.S. News introduced a complementary set of ratings this year to evaluate hospitals in regional markets according to their performance in five more common conditions and procedures. The methodology for this year’s ranking was also changed to include a higher threshold for consideration as a high-performing hospital.

Baptist Health hospitals were recognized as high-performing in both complex care and routine care cases as well as in 10 different specialties, procedures and conditions: Ear, Nose & Throat, Geriatrics, Pulmonology, Urology, Neurology & Neurosurgery, Heart Bypass Surgery, Knee Replacement Surgery, Hip Replacement Surgery, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease and Heart Failure.

“We are proud and honored to again be recognized for the outstanding work of our world-class physicians, nurses and staff members who continuously reach beyond the high standards Baptist Health has in place to provide the best-quality care to each patient every day,” said Brian E. Keeley, president and chief executive officer of Baptist Health. “This ranking reinforces and validates that those standards we strive hard to achieve have been met and exceeded.”

“You really can’t deliver great hospital products or great healthcare without all of the different pieces working together,” said Baptist Hospital Medical Staff President Michael Fili, M.D. “Nursing, pharmacy, physicians, administration: it really needs to be coordinated.”

“At Baptist Health, we are constantly seeking to improve our practices and provide the highest quality of care for our patients,” said Thinh Tran, M.D., MBA, corporate vice president and chief medical and quality officer. “We share best practices among our facilities and among our staff to ensure that we are doing the best for our patients as a healthcare organization. The U.S. News rankings help patients make informed decisions about their care, and we are proud to be highlighted among the best.”

Baptist Health hospitals earned more high-performing medals than any other healthcare system in the region. In addition, Baptist Health Neuroscience Center, Miami Cardiac & Vascular Institute and Miami Orthopedics & Sports Medicine Institute were recognized for various specialties.

About Baptist Health South Florida
Baptist Health is the largest healthcare organization in the region, with seven hospitals (Baptist Hospital, Baptist Children’s Hospital, Doctors Hospital, Homestead Hospital, Mariners Hospital, South Miami Hospital and West Kendall Baptist Hospital) and nearly 50 outpatient and urgent care facilities spanning three counties. The not-for-profit, faith-based Baptist Health has approximately 16,000 employees and 2,200 affiliated physicians, and also includes Baptist Health Medical Group, Baptist Outpatient Services and internationally renowned centers of excellence. Baptist Health Foundation, the organization’s fundraising arm, supports services at all hospitals and facilities. Baptist Health was listed by Fortune magazine as one of the 100 Best Companies to Work For in America (#23 in the nation) and has remained on the list for 15 years. It was also recognized as one of the World’s Most Ethical Companies for the fifth year in a row by the Ethisphere Institute.

Contact: Dori Alvarez; [email protected], 786-596-3050

Leapfrog Group’s Hospital Safety Score recognizes dedication to patient safety

Four hospitals operated by Baptist Health South Florida have been recognized by a healthcare industry watchdog group for their dedication to patient safety. Baptist Hospital, Doctors Hospital, Homestead Hospital and West Kendall Baptist Hospital each received an A grade in the Leapfrog Group’s Spring 2015 Hospital Safety Score, which rates how well hospitals protect patients from preventable medical errors, injuries and infections within the hospital.

Baptist, Doctors and Homestead Hospitals also earned Leapfrog’s new “Straight A’s” gold badge for achieving a perfect score during every survey period since the Hospital Safety Score was launched in June 2012.

South Miami Hospital received a B score. As a critical-access hospital, Mariners Hospital is not eligible to participate in the survey.

The Hospital Safety Score assigns A, B, C, D and F grades to more than 2,500 U.S. hospitals, which are evaluated on 28 areas of patient safety including infection rates, surgical outcomes, physician staffing levels in the ICU and standard safety measures such as hand washing. Some 40 percent of hospitals receive a C, D or F grade.

“At a time when more than 1,000 people die every day from preventable accidents in hospitals, Leapfrog believes that patient safety should be Job #1 in every hospital, 24-7,” said Leah Binder, Leapfrog president and chief executive officer. “Baptist Health’s A grades validate its achievement in preventing harm within its hospitals, and we are proud to recognize the efforts of the care providers and staff.”

“These scores are a useful tool for patients to begin a conversation with their doctors when it comes to choosing a hospital for care,” said Brian E. Keeley, president and chief executive officer of Baptist Health South Florida. “Our scores signify our commitment to patients and their safety. And when combined with our recent star rankings in patient satisfaction from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), patients can be confident they are making informed decisions about where to be treated.”

The Hospital Safety Score is calculated by top patient safety experts, peer reviewed, fully transparent and free to the public. A full description of the data and methodology used in determining grades is available online at HospitalSafetyScore.org. Visitors to the website can also find informative videos, tips for patients, and a downloadable Hospital Safety Score mobile app for IOS and Android devices.

About Baptist Health South Florida
Baptist Health is the largest healthcare organization in the region, with seven hospitals (Baptist Hospital, Baptist Children’s Hospital, Doctors Hospital, Homestead Hospital, Mariners Hospital, South Miami Hospital and West Kendall Baptist Hospital) and more than 30 outpatient and urgent care facilities spanning three counties. The not-for-profit, faith-based Baptist Health has more than 15,000 employees and 2,200 affiliated physicians, and also includes Baptist Health Medical Group, Baptist Outpatient Services and internationally renowned centers of excellence. Baptist Health Foundation, the organization’s fundraising arm, supports services at all hospitals and facilities. Baptist Health was listed by Fortune magazine as one of the 100 Best Companies to Work For in America (#23 in the nation) and has remained on the list for 15 years. It was also recognized as one of the World’s Most Ethical Companies for the fifth year in a row by the Ethisphere Institute.

About The Leapfrog Group
Founded in 2000 by large employers and other purchasers, The Leapfrog Group is a national nonprofit organization driving a movement for giant leaps forward in the quality and safety of American health care. The flagship Leapfrog Hospital Survey collects and transparently reports hospital performance, empowering purchasers to find the highest-value care and giving consumers the lifesaving information they need to make informed decisions. The Hospital Safety Score, Leapfrog’s other main initiative, assigns letter grades to hospitals based on their record of patient safety, helping consumers protect themselves and their families from errors, injuries, accidents, and infections.

Contact: Dori Alvarez; 786-596-3050

Baptist Hospital of Miami, in partnership with Baptist Health Neuroscience Center, has received certification as a Comprehensive Stroke Center from The Joint Commission and the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association.

Baptist Hospital is the first hospital in South Florida, the second in the state and one of only a few nationwide to receive this esteemed distinction. Comprehensive Stroke Center status is the nation’s highest level of accreditation. It is earned only by those hospitals that have state-of-the-art infrastructure, staff and training necessary to treat patients with the most complex strokes.

“This advanced certification is an important recognition of the skills, experience and teamwork that have been developed at Baptist Hospital and Baptist Health Neuroscience Center,” said neurosurgeon Sergio Gonzalez-Arias, M.D., medical director of Baptist Health Neuroscience Center. “Our talented team of physicians, nurses, technologists, therapists, pharmacists and staff are dedicated to providing the highest quality of care to patients with the most severe and challenging types of strokes and cerebrovascular disease.”

To achieve its status as a certified Comprehensive Stroke Center, Baptist Hospital volunteered to undergo a rigorous onsite review by Joint Commission experts. The hospital was shown to have the necessary requirements, including highly skilled specialists such as neurologists, neurosurgeons and interventional neuroradiologists; advanced imaging capabilities; 24/7 availability of a neurointensive care unit with dedicated beds for stroke patients; and clinical staff with the unique education and competencies to care for patients with the most complex cases of stroke.

Stroke – a “brain attack” that cuts off vital blood flow and oxygen to the brain – is the fourth-leading cause of death in the United States and a leading cause of serious, long-term adult disability. Approximately 795,000 Americans experience a stroke each year. It can happen to anyone at any time, regardless of age, sex or ethnicity. Stroke is a condition that must be treated quickly for the best chances of recovery and survival. Two million brain cells die every minute during a stroke, increasing the risk of permanent brain damage, disability or death. However, recognizing symptoms and getting medical treatment quickly can limit disabilities and save lives.

“By achieving this advanced national certification, Baptist Hospital has demonstrated that it is equipped to provide specialized stroke care that can lead to better outcomes for patients,” said Bo Boulenger, chief executive officer of Baptist Hospital. “Our highly skilled, multidisciplinary team is committed to elevating the standard of care for the community we serve.”

Baptist Hospital is part of Baptist Health South Florida, the largest faith-based, not-for-profit healthcare organization in the region. In addition to Baptist Hospital, Baptist Health includes Baptist Hospital, Baptist Children’s Hospital, Miami Cardiac & Vascular Institute, South Miami Hospital, Homestead Hospital, Doctors Hospital, West Kendall Baptist Hospital, Mariners Hospital and Baptist Outpatient Services. Baptist Health Foundation, the organization’s fundraising arm, supports services at all hospitals and facilities affiliated with Baptist Health. For more information, visit https://BaptistHealth.net/Stroke or connect with BaptistHealthSF on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.

Contact: Anne Smith, 786-596-6654, [email protected]