Lakewood Regional Medical Center ranked first among Tenet California hospitals

Lakewood Regional rates highly in medical care and level of service

LOS ANGELES, March 26, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Today's healthcare environment demands ambitious targets and measures to be set.  One of the ways that Tenet Healthcare Corporation measures these targets is through its Balanced Score Card, which measures 5 specific metrics. The Pillars, as they are referred to, consist of the following: People, Quality, Service, Cost and Growth and the data from these Pillars is collected across 49 Tenet hospitals nationwide. These targets are intended to bring out the very best in people at all levels of the organization---and that is exactly what has happened at Lakewood Regional Medical Center.

(Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20130325/DC83264)

Lakewood Regional has achieved what many hospitals aspire to:  high quality medical care delivered with an exceptional level of service.  Those were the two primary goals that CEO B. Joseph Badalian set when he joined the organization about three years ago.  31 months later, the team of hospital associates, volunteers, physicians, and board members led Lakewood Regional Medical Center to the number one Balanced Score Card ranking among Tenet California hospitals and number 4 Company wide.  Badalian credits 100% of the hospital's success to having the right people in the right place and a deliberate focus on quality and service. "We have enormous responsibilities and priorities in this industry, however if we focus on what is most important, quality and service, the business part of the job will take care of itself," said Badalian.

Lakewood Regional's Board Chairman, Ezzat Wassef, MD, agrees. Dr. Wassef states, "Our present success and the excellent progress we have been able to accomplish are the result of the cumulative efforts and dedication of our administrative team, Governing Board Members, medical staff, as well as all the employees of Lakewood Regional medical center under the strong leadership of our hospital CEO."

To be sure, the hospital's staff has been busy. Very recently, Lakewood Regional has invested about $2.7 million in a new medical-surgical unit and facelifts in all patient rooms.  In addition, the hospital purchased a surgical robot for performing partial knee replacements.  Also, it's in the midst of a $3.7 million expansion of its interventional suites. Many other investments have been made and the hospital has seen marked improvement as a result. Lakewood Regional Medical Center has been designated by Los Angeles County as a heart attack (STEMI) receiving center and has just been recognized as a Primary Stroke Center. The American Heart Association (AHA) has awarded the hospital a Gold level for compliance with the (AHA)'s Get with The Guidelines program.  Badalian credits these achievements to a combined team effort yet, insists there is always room for more improvement.

"Were not done. We're always trying to find new improvement opportunities," he states. "When you think in terms of doing what's best for patients, our mission never ends." With the continued support of its parent company, Tenet and its senior leadership, the hospital intends to continue its progress and aspires to meet more targets. But for now, Badalian and his administrative team have a deep respect and abiding pride for the accomplishments of the entire Lakewood Regional team. "It took a lot of dedication and a commitment to excellence to be where we are today. Sincere thanks to our Board, talented physicians and associates. Strong work."

Contact: Patrick Houston, 562-602-6742, [email protected]

SOURCE Lakewood Regional Medical Center