Recognizing Excellence in 2008
The Dartmouth Atlas of Healthcare, an ongoing Dartmouth Medical School study of efficiency in healthcare delivery, cited Intermountain Healthcare and the Mayo Clinic as benchmark organizations for delivering high-quality, lower-cost care.
The SDI/Verispan research firm and Modern Healthcare magazine again ranked Intermountain Healthcare among the nation’s leading integrated systems. In 2009, Intermountain ranked third in the nation in a study of more than 550 systems. Intermountain has been ranked first, second, or third in 10 of the last 11 years.
Hospitals & Health Networks magazine again included Intermountain Healthcare in its annual ranking of America’s “Top 100 Most Wired Hospitals”— the ninth time in 10 years. According to the researchers who compile the ranking, hospitals on the list have superior medical outcomes, and the adoption of information technology is correlated to higher-quality and lower-cost patient care.
Computerworld magazine selected Intermountain as one of the top workplaces for information technology professionals.
The Executive Alliance presented Intermountain with its Information Security Executive (ISE) West Project of the Year Award for 2008. The award recognizes Intermountain’s programs to maintain data security.
Information Week again named Intermountain Healthcare on its list of the nation’s “Top 500 Innovators” in information technology. Intermountain also made the list in 2007.
Intermountain’s LiVe childhood fitness campaign received 15 awards in 2008 in recognition of effective public service communication.
Modern Healthcare magazine named Intermountain one of the 100 “Best Places to Work in Healthcare.” The ranking recognizes healthcare organizations that have successfully fostered workplace excellence and helped employees perform at their optimal levels.
Hospital Recognition and Awards
Garfield Memorial Hospital in Panguitch was listed as having the highest HCAHPS patient satisfaction scores in the nation (Modern Healthcare, 7 Apr 2008). Garfield Memorial is managed by Intermountain Healthcare. The scores are based on the Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (HCAHPS) survey, an ongoing national survey of hospital patients.
U.S News & World Report named Primary Children’s Medical Center one of America’s top pediatric hospitals in general pediatrics, cancer treatment, heart and heart surgery, neurology and neurosurgery, digestive disorders, and respiratory disorders.
U.S News & World Report ranked LDS Hospital among the nation’s best hospitals in treating urology, orthopedics, kidney disease, and gastrointestinal disorders. This is the sixth time the hospital has been included in the annual ranking.
Cassia Regional Medical Center received the Community Benefit Award from the Idaho Hospital Association for its use of Intermountain’s LiVe campaign in its region of southeast Idaho.
Individual Honors
Several Intermountain employees were honored by Healthcare Heroes awards presented by Utah Business magazine: Donald Lappé, MD, medical director, Cardiovascular Clinical Program; Bruce Reid, MD, surgical director, Utah Artificial Heart Program & Heart Transplant Program; Terry Clemmer, MD, director, Critical Care Medicine, LDS Hospital; David Clark, vice president, Urban South Region; Tom Hanrahan, vice president, Urban North Region; and Carolyn Bauer, RN, LDS Hospital.
William H. Nelson, Intermountain’s president and CEO, received the Giant in Our City Award presented by the Salt Lake Chamber. The award is widely considered to be the most prestigious recognition given to Utah business leaders; it is presented only to leaders who have had a profound influence on the city and state. Nelson was the 28th recipient of the award, which was first presented in 1969.
Nancy Nowak, RN, Intermountain’s vice president of Clinical Operations and chief nursing officer, received the 2008 Pathfinder Award from the Salt Lake Chamber.
Brent James, MD, MStat, Intermountain’s vice president for Research and executive director of the Intermountain Institute for Healthcare Delivery Research, was listed among the nation’s “50 Most Powerful Physician Executives” in a ranking by Modern Healthcare magazine.
SelectHealth Recognition
SelectHealth again surpassed state and national averages for clinical performance and customer satisfaction, according to the Utah Department of Health’s 2008 Performance Report for Utah Commercial HMOs. SelectHealth exceeded state averages in 32 of 39 clinical performance measures and was Utah’s top-ranking health plan in 23 of those measures. SelectHealth also exceeded national averages in 24 of the same 39 categories. In addition, SelectHealth exceeded state averages in seven of the nine customer satisfaction measures and was the top-ranking health plan in five of these measures.
The Alfred P. Sloan Award for Business Excellence in Workplace Flexibility was again presented to SelectHealth in recognition of its innovative employee programs. SelectHealth also received the award in 2007.
Key Events in 2008
Intermountain President and CEO William H. Nelson announced his retirement in 2008 after 33 years of service. In January 2009, he was succeeded by Charles W. Sorenson, MD, who had been Intermountain’s executive vice president and chief operating officer. In addition to Dr. Sorenson, the other members of Intermountain’s Management Committee are Bert R. Zimmerli, senior vice president and chief financial officer; Gregory P. Poulsen, senior vice president; and Joseph R. Horton, senior vice president.
Development continued on new facilities planned to meet growing community needs. Work is underway at the Park City Medical Center and at a new hospital in Riverton, both of which are expected to open in 2009. A replacement facility for Bear River Valley Hospital in Tremonton opened in 2009. At Logan Regional Hospital, a new cancer treatment center opened, dedicated to Dr. Merrill C. and Betty Daines.
Intermountain met or exceeded all its clinical quality goals for 2008. As a result, care was improved in a number of areas, including the care of newborns and the treatment of patients with heart failure, colon cancer, diabetes, and other conditions.
Medical outcomes remained among the nation’s best. Intermountain’s eight clinical programs—Cardiovascular, Oncology, Women & Newborns, Intensive Medicine, Pediatric Specialties, Primary Care, Surgical Services, and Behavioral Health—continued to enhance the quality of care through the sharing of best medical practices. Intermountain is an internationally recognized leader in implementing best medical practices, and it is one of only a very few healthcare organizations that include clinical program quality goals prominently among annual board goals.
SelectHealth began offering dental insurance for small and large employers (effective 2009). The new plans are offered with SelectHealth medical plans or on a stand-alone basis. All Utah dentists are invited to participate.
A premium assistance plan for children’s health insurance was offered by SelectHealth. Designed to supplement the SelectHealth Kids Plans, the program reduces the already low-cost kids plans by either 40 or 60 percent for those who qualify.