– Recognized for outstanding outcomes in adult cardiac care, the Saint Barnabas Heart Center at Newark Beth Israel Medical Center has been named among the nation’s 100 top hospitals for cardiovascular performance by Solucient®, a leading national source of health care information products. Newark Beth Israel, which earlier this year received Solucient’s 100 Top Hospitals: Performance Improvement Leaders Award, provides the full spectrum of adult cardiovascular services, from catheterization and angioplasty to cardiothoracic surgery including heart transplant.
One of only two hospitals in New Jersey included on Solucient’s 2006 cardiovascular list, Newark Beth Israel is home to the State’s most experienced, highest volume heart failure treatment and transplant program and the nation’s seventh largest heart transplant program, with outcomes that match or exceed national standards. The medical center has one of the country’s leading robotic surgery programs and a robotic training center, where the latest minimally-invasive robotic surgical techniques are applied to mitral valve repair and other cardiothoracic surgeries. A leading center for research of investigational devices, including a variety of ventricular assist devices, and the CoreCap cardiac support device, Newark Beth Israel’s cardiac services also include specialized cardiac transfer capabilities and an integrative medicine program, which incorporates alternative therapies for quicker patient rehabilitation.
“We are extremely proud to be included among the nation’s top cardiac services providers,” said Allen Boxbaum, vice president, Cardiovascular Services, Saint Barnabas Health Care System. “This recognition illustrates the life-saving impact our cardiovascular team has on those who come to us for cardiac treatment. For the good of our patients, we are committed to maintaining this extremely high level of care.”
The Saint Barnabas Heart Center at Newark Beth Israel Medical Center was scored in eight key performance areas: risk-adjusted medical mortality, risk-adjusted surgical mortality, risk-adjusted complications, percentage of coronary artery bypass grafts (CABG) patients with internal mammary artery use, procedure volume, severity-adjusted average length of stay, wage- and severity-adjusted average cost, and core measures score. Core measures — a set of widely accepted minimum standards of care for all patients, based on scientific evidence — are used by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO), and approved by the National Quality Forum.
The study represents a one-year snapshot of the practices of Newark Beth Israel’s high-performing clinical and management teams in relation to its peers. Those facilities that made the list had better survival rates and fewer complications than their peers, according to the Solucient report. The 100 top hospital winners also did a high volume of cardiac procedures and used recommended core measure standards for heart attack and acute myocardial infarction patients.
Boxbaum points to the multidisciplinary approach to treatment as a winning strategy for consistently positive outcomes. “Each and every member of our highly-skilled and knowledgeable team plays a role in patient care, and therefore, shares in this impressive honor. We congratulate everyone for their contributions and for setting the standard by which all other cardiothoracic programs across the country are measured.”
"The 100 Top Hospitals Cardiovascular winners bring great value to their communities," noted Jean Chenoweth, senior vice president, performance improvement and 100 Top Hospitals programs, Solucient Center for Healthcare Improvement. "These hospitals have set national benchmarks for clinical process, outcomes and efficiency, as well as reasonable cost. These hospitals also meet volume standards for both percutaneous coronary interventions and coronary artery bypass grafts."
For more information about the Saint Barnabas Heart Center at Newark Beth Israel Medical Center, or for a physician referral, visit www.saintbarnabas.com or call 1-800-THE-BETH.
The Saint Barnabas Heart Center at Newark Beth Israel Medical Center provides a full range of advanced cardiac care to patients in the State of New Jersey and beyond. Full range of services include CT and MR cardiac imaging, innovative interventional techniques for acquired and congenital cardiovascular disease and minimally invasive cardiothoracic surgery that utilizes robotics for advanced techniques which lead to quicker patient recovery. It serves as the home of the largest Heart Failure and Transplant service in the state, providing innovative treatments for those suffering from advanced heart disease. The Saint Barnabas Heart Center at Newark Beth Israel Medical Center has performed over 400 cardiac transplants.
Newark Beth Israel Medical Center, a 673-bed regional referral teaching hospital, is also home to Children’s Hospital of New Jersey. Other clinical programs include robotic surgery; lung, renal and pancreas transplantation; pediatric cardiothoracic surgery and transplant; vascular surgery; hematology/oncology; and maternal/child care.
NEWARK, NJ – Recognized for outstanding outcomes in adult cardiac care, the Saint Barnabas Heart Center at Newark Beth Israel Medical Center has been named among the nation’s 100 top hospitals for cardiovascular performance by 
