Nacogodoches Medical Center Again Earns A Grade For Patient Safety

Nacogdoches, Texas, April 26, 2018 – For the sixth consecutive reporting period, Nacogdoches Medical Center, the hospital anchor of NMC Health Network, has been recognized as a top performer by The Leapfrog Group. This national award for patient safety is the most recent accolade received by the organization. Other recent accomplishments include, Advanced Primary Stroke Center Certification from the Joint Commission and the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association’s Heart-Checkmark for Advanced Certification for Primary Stroke Centers, The Joint Commission's Gold Seal of Approval® for both Chest Pain Certification and Total Joint Replacement, and the Commission on Cancer Accreditation through the American College of Surgeons. Additionally, the organization recently completed surveys for Level IV Trauma Center Designation and Level II Special Care Nursery Designation with The Texas Department of State Health Services.

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 Leapfrog Group’s Hospital Safety Score is designed to give the public information they can use to protect themselves and their families. It is calculated by top patient safety experts, peer-reviewed, fully transparent and free to the public. “Avoidable deaths in hospitals should be the number one concern of our health care leaders. Hospitals, like NMC, that earn an ‘A’ from Leapfrog are leaders in saving lives, and we commend them and urge their continued vigilance,” said Leah Binder, president and CEO of The Leapfrog Group.

According to an analysis by researchers at Johns Hopkins University, a hospital's safety score has life-or-death consequences for patients. Patients at a D hospital have a 50 percent higher risk of avoidable death than patients at an A hospital. The study concluded that more than 33,000 lives could be saved each year if all hospitals had the same performance as those, like NMC, who received an A.

In 1975, Nacogdoches Medical Center was founded by 15 physicians and community leaders who shared a passion for providing high quality patient care and wanted to make a difference in the way medicine was practiced in Nacogdoches. The organization celebrated their 43rd anniversary in March, but remain committed to the core beliefs that served as the foundation for NMC Health Network. “Every day, and at every level in our organization, we remain highly-focused on creating an environment that embraces safety and quality,” said Mario Estrella, Chief Nursing Officer. “Our staff has worked diligently to implement nationally recognized benchmarks and best practices that have dramatically improved the environment of care.”

Like those before them, the leadership at NMC still prides themselves on being a good community partner for all of East Texas. Since 2014, the organization has provided more than $23 million in charity care, $70 million in discounts to the uninsured, and $4.8 million in sales and property taxes. They have also-invested over $14 million in capital projects, including an $8 million investment in a new ER and Diagnostic Imaging facility built in Shelby County, an expansion of the main campus Emergency Room in Nacogdoches, and new Outpatient Therapy and MedPost locations built in 2016.

Chief Executive Officer, Philip Koovakada credits his employees and their passion for care as the driving force behind the organization’s success. “Hospitals vary in their processes and outcomes. NMC’s growth and success did not happen by chance, luck, or even corporate affiliation,” he said. “Our success is because of the dedicated service and the drive to provide high quality care ingrained in our culture. Our teams’ continuous dedication to elevate the quality, consistency, and safety of the services and patient care at NMC are the impetus behind the recognition we have received. Over the last three years, our organization as a whole has worked diligently to achieve growth and superior quality through new clinical programs.”

Proud of their history and distinguished accomplishments, the staff of NMC Health Network are committed to the communities in which they live and serve. The team continues to work tirelessly to care for their neighbors and friends each day, relentlessly pursuing the organization’s Mission: To serve, heal and educate the community.

To see Nacogdoches Medical Center’s full scores and to access consumer-friendly tips for patients and loved ones visiting the hospital, visit www.hospitalsafetyscore.org or follow The Hospital Safety Score on Twitter or Facebook. Consumers can also download the free Hospital Safety Score mobile app for Apple and Android devices.