Banner Health named one of the top five large health systems in the U.S.

PHOENIX, April 15, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Banner Health is one of the top performing health systems in the U.S. based on quality outcomes, patient care and efficiency, according to Truven Health Analytics, a leading health care analysis firm.

Truven, formerly the health care business of Thomson Reuters, found that Banner Health has higher survival rates, few complications and system-wide clinical excellence, and ranked the hospital system in the top 15 highest performing hospital systems in the U.S. The Truven Health 15 Top Health Systems analyzed data from more than 300 organizations and singled out 15 hospital systems that achieved superior clinical outcomes based on a composite score of eight measures of quality, patient perception of care and efficiency.

Phoenix-based nonprofit Banner Health was named in the top five of large health systems with more than $1.5 billion in operating expenses. The study relied on public data from the 2010 and 2011 Medicare Provider Analysis and Review (MedPAR) and the CMS Hospital Compare data sets. Researchers from the Truven Health 100 Top Hospitals program have analyzed and reported on the performance of individual hospitals since 1993.

"I am extremely pleased to announce that Banner Health has been chosen as a 2013 Top 15 Health System by Truven Analytics," said Banner Health president and CEO Peter Fine. "This recognition of industry leadership for clinical quality is made all the more meaningful because this is the third year out of the past four that we have received this prestigious award. Clearly, we have been able to sustain our position as an industry leader."

As a 2013 Truven Top 15 Health System, Banner Health was recognized for:

• Saving more lives and causing fewer patient complications,
• Following industry-recommended standards of care more closely,
• Making fewer patient safety errors,
• Releasing patients half a day sooner, and
• Scoring better on overall patient satisfaction.

"As health systems move further into health care reform, consistency of hospital and physician outcomes in every community served is the holy grail," said Jean Chenoweth, senior vice president for performance improvement and 100 Top Hospitals® program at Truven Health Analytics. "Health system leaders' effectiveness will be measured not solely on the performance of the whole system compared to other systems, but also on the leader's ability to align the performance of the provider segments of the health system to achieve consistency. This new study begins to measure these aspects of performance."

Joining Banner Health in the top five of large health systems include: Advocate Health Care, Oak Brook, Ill.; Memorial Hermann Health System, Houston, Texas; OhioHealth, Columbus, Ohio and Scripps Health, San Diego, Calif.

"We have been recognized with this distinction for three of the past four years," added Dr. John Hensing, Banner Health's executive vice president and chief medical officer. "This is an amazing accomplishment and testament to the continued emphasis and outstanding efforts of all staff to improve clinical quality and safety and provide an excellent patient experience."

The Truven top five large health system ranking comes after Banner Boswell Medical Center, North Colorado Medical Center and McKee Medical Center were recognized by Truven as Top 100 Hospitals in the U.S. for operational excellence.

About Banner Health

Headquartered in Phoenix, Banner Health is one of the largest, nonprofit health care systems in the country. The system manages 23 acute-care hospitals, the Banner Health Network and Banner Medical Group, long-term care centers, outpatient surgery centers and an array of other services including family clinics, home care and hospice services, and a nursing registry. Banner Health is in seven states: Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Nebraska, Nevada and Wyoming. For more information, visit www.BannerHealth.com.

About Truven Health Analytics

Truven Health Analytics delivers unbiased information, analytic tools, benchmarks and services to the healthcare industry. Hospitals, government agencies, employers, health plans, clinicians, and pharmaceutical companies have relied on its solutions for over 30 years. Truven Health Analytics combines deep clinical, financial and healthcare management expertise with innovative technology platforms and information assets to make healthcare better, collaborating with customers to uncover and realize opportunities for improving quality, efficiency, and outcomes. Truven Health Analytics owns some of the most trusted, proven brands in healthcare such as Micromedex, Action OI and Advantage Suite. Truven Health Analytics employs approximately 2000 people worldwide and has its principal offices in Ann Arbor, Mich; Chicago; and Denver. For more information, please visit www.truvenhealth.com.

About the Truven Health 100 Top Hospitals® Program

Since 1993, the Truven Health 100 Top Hospitals program has used independent and objective research to guide hospital and health system performance. Organizations do not apply or pay for this honor, or pay to promote their award. Award-winning hospitals and health systems prove that better care is possible and provide an example for other organizations to follow across the industry. The 100 Top Hospitals award winners demonstrate top performance on both how patients are cared for through clinical measures and how the hospital performs as an efficient business. 100 Top Hospitals is a registered trademarks or trademarks of Truven Health Analytics. For more information, please visit www.100tophospitals.com.

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SOURCE Banner Health