Thomson Reuters Announces 100 Top Hospitals Award Winners

16 Apr 2012 13:00 Africa/Lagos



Thomson Reuters Announces 100 Top Hospitals Award Winners
Twelve Hospitals Are Named Everest Award Winners for Fastest Improvement and Top Performance

ANN ARBOR, Mich., April 16, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Thomson Reuters today released its annual study identifying the 100 top U.S. hospitals based on their overall organizational performance.

The Thomson Reuters 100 Top Hospitals® study evaluates performance in 10 areas: mortality; medical complications; patient safety; average patient stay; expenses; profitability; patient satisfaction; adherence to clinical standards of care; post-discharge mortality; and readmission rates for acute myocardial infarction (heart attack), heart failure, and pneumonia. The study has been conducted annually since 1993.

"This year, the concentration of 100 Top Hospitals award winners has shifted significantly, with Texas, Florida, and California housing the most winners," said Jean Chenoweth, senior vice president at Thomson Reuters. "A major change in performance geographically is an encouraging indication that the bar for quality care has been raised once again."

For the fourth year, Thomson Reuters is also recognizing the 100 Top Hospitals Everest Award winners — those hospitals among the 100 winners that delivered the greatest rate of improvement over five years. This year, there are 12 Everest Award winners.

To conduct the 100 Top Hospitals study, Thomson Reuters researchers evaluated 2,886 short-term, acute-care, non-federal hospitals. They used public information — Medicare cost reports, Medicare Provider Analysis and Review (MedPAR) data, and core measures and patient satisfaction data from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Hospital Compare website. Hospitals do not apply, and winners do not pay to market this honor.

If all Medicare inpatients received the same level of care as those treated in the award-winning facilities:

More than 186,000 additional lives could be saved.
Approximately 56,000 additional patients could be complication free.
More than $4.3 billion could be saved.
The average patient stay would decrease by nearly half a day.

If the same standards were applied to all inpatients, the impact would be even greater. For more information, please visit www.100tophospitals.com.

Here are the winning hospitals, by category, with asterisks indicating the Everest Award winners:

THE 100 TOP HOSPITALS EVEREST AWARD The Everest Award honors hospitals that have achieved both the highest current performance and the fastest long-term improvement over five years.
Hospital Name	City, State	Medicare ID
Banner Boswell Medical Center	Sun City, AZ	030061
UC San Diego Medical Center – Hillcrest	San Diego, CA	050025
French Hospital Medical Center	San Luis Obispo, CA	050232
Sarasota Memorial Hospital	Sarasota, FL	100087
Morton Plant Hospital	Clearwater, FL	100127
Doctors Hospital of Sarasota	Sarasota, FL	100166
Delray Medical Center	Delray Beach, FL	100258
Ochsner Medical Center	New Orleans, LA	190036
St. Joseph Health System	Tawas City, MI	230100
Clara Maass Medical Center	Belleville, NJ	310009
Augusta Health	Fishersville, VA	490018
Bon Secours St. Mary's Hospital	Richmond, VA	490059
100 TOP HOSPITALS, 2012 MAJOR TEACHING HOSPITALS
Hospital	City, State	Medicare ID
UC San Diego Medical Center - Hillcrest	San Diego, CA	050025
Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center	Chicago, IL	140182
Advocate Christ Medical Center	Oak Lawn, IL	140208
Ochsner Medical Center	New Orleans, LA	190036
Baystate Medical Center	Springfield, MA	220077
Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center	Boston, MA	220086
St. Joseph Mercy Hospital	Ann Arbor, MI	230156
Doctors Hospital	Columbus, OH	360152
Geisinger Medical Center	Danville, PA	390006
Allegheny General Hospital	Pittsburgh, PA	390050
Penn Presbyterian Medical Center	Philadelphia, PA	390223
Vanderbilt University Medical Center	Nashville, TN	440039
Baylor University Medical Center at Dallas	Dallas, TX	450021
Scott & White Hospital	Temple, TX	450054
The Methodist Hospital	Houston, TX	450358
TEACHING HOSPITALS
Hospital	City, State	Medicare ID
Scripps Green Hospital	La Jolla, CA	050424
Poudre Valley Hospital	Fort Collins, CO	060010
Morton Plant Hospital	Clearwater, FL	100127
Carle Foundation Hospital	Urbana, IL	140091
St. Vincent Indianapolis Hospital	Indianapolis, IN	150084
St. Luke's Hospital	Cedar Rapids, IA	160045
Mercy Medical Center North Iowa	Mason City, IA	160064
Mercy Medical Center	Baltimore, MD	210008
Saint Vincent Hospital	Worcester, MA	220176
Munson Medical Center	Traverse City, MI	230097
Beaumont Hospital, Troy	Troy, MI	230269
Hackensack University Medical Center	Hackensack, NJ	310001
Mission Hospital	Asheville, NC	340002
Kettering Medical Center	Kettering, OH	360079
UPMC Hamot	Erie, PA	390063
Robert Packer Hospital	Sayre, PA	360079
Bryn Mawr Hospital	Bryn Mawr, PA	390139
Lankenau Medical Center	Wynnewood, PA	390195
AnMed Health Medical Center	Anderson, SC	420027
Saint Thomas Hospital	Nashville, TN	440082
Memorial Health Care System	Chattanooga, TN	440091
Memorial Hermann Hospital System	Houston, TX	450184
Baptist St. Anthony's Health System	Amarillo, TX	450231
McKay-Dee Hospital Center	Ogden, UT	460004
Bon Secours St. Mary's Hospital	Richmond, VA	490059
LARGE COMMUNITY HOSPITALS
Hospital	City, State	Medicare ID
Banner Boswell Medical Center	Sun City, AZ	030061
Providence Little Company of Mary Medical Center	Torrance, CA	050353
Centinela Hospital Medical Center	Inglewood, CA	050739
Martin Health System	Stuart, FL	100044
Sarasota Memorial Hospital	Sarasota, FL	100087
Kendall Regional Medical Center	Miami, FL	100209
Ocala Regional Medical Center	Ocala, FL	100212
Delray Medical Center	Delray Beach, FL	100258
Mease Contryside Hospital	Safety Harbor, FL	100265
Advocate Good Samaritan Hospital	Downers Grove, IL	140288
Owensboro Medical Health System	Owensboro, KY	180038
Clara Maass Medical Center	Belleville, NJ	310009
Community Medical Center	Toms River, NJ	310041
Gaston Memorial Hospital	Gastonia, NC	340032
St. Clair Hospital	Pittsburgh, PA	390228
Trinity Mother Frances Hospital	Tyler, TX	450102
St. David's Medical Center	Austin, TX	450431
Memorial Hermann Memorial City Medical Center	Houston, TX	450610
CHRISTUS St. Michael Health System	Texarkana, TX	450801
St. David's North Austin Medical Center	Austin, TX	450809
MEDIUM COMMUNITY HOSPITALS
Hospital	City, State	Medicare ID
Baptist Medical Center East	Montgomery, AL	010149
Garden Grove Hospital Medical Center	Garden Grove, CA	050230
French Hospital Medical Center	San Luis Obispo, CA	050232
West Anaheim Medical Center	Anaheim, CA	050426
Chino Valley Medical Center	Chino, CA	050586
Doctors Hospital of Sarasota	Sarasota, FL	100166
Northwest Medical Center	Margate, FL	100189
Gulf Coast Medical Center	Panama City, FL	100242
Cleveland Clinic Florida	Weston, FL	100289
Dupont Hospital	Fort Wayne, IN	150150
Saint Joseph Hospital	Bangor, ME	200001
Holland Hospital	Holland, MI	230072
Mercy Hospital Clermont	Batavia, OH	360236
Sycamore Medical Center	Miamisburg, OH	360239
Paoli Hospital	Paoli, PA	390153
Doylestown Hospital	Doylestown, PA	390203
Bon Secours St. Francis Hospital	Charleston, SC	420065
St. David's Round Rock Medical Center	Round Rock, TX	450718
Ogden Regional Medical Center	Ogden, UT	460005
Augusta Health	Fishersville, VA	490018
SMALL COMMUNITY HOSPITALS
Hospital	City, State	Medicare ID
St. Elizabeth Community Hospital	Red Bluff, CA	050042
Sutter Davis Hospital	Davis, CA	050537
Desert Valley Hospital	Victorville, CA	050709
Gulf Breeze Hospital	Gulf Breeze, FL	100266
Sacred Heart Hospital on the Emerald Coast	Miramar Beach, FL	100292
Saint Joseph Regional Medical Center	Plymouth, IN	150076
Major Hospital	Shelbyville, IN	150097
Harlan ARH Hospital	Harlan, KY	180050
Spectrum Health United Memorial	Greenville, MI	230035
Mercy Hospital Cadillac	Cadillac, MI	230081
St. Joseph Health System	Tawas City, MI	230100
Lakeview Hospital	Stillwater, MN	240066
Woodwinds Health Campus	Woodbury, MN	240213
The HealthCenter	Kalispell, MT	270087
Samaritan Regional Health System	Ashland, OH	360002
Dublin Methodist Hospital	Dublin, OH	360348
Ponca City Medical Center	Ponca CIty, OK	370006
Baylor Medical Center at Waxahachie	Waxahachie, TX	450372
Hill Country Memorial Hospital	Fredericksburg, TX	450604
Memorial Hermann Sugar Land Hospital

About Thomson Reuters
Thomson Reuters is the world's leading source of intelligent information for businesses and professionals. We combine industry expertise with innovative technology to deliver critical information to leading decision makers in the financial, legal, tax and accounting, healthcare and science and media markets, powered by the world's most trusted news organization. With headquarters in New York and major operations in London and Eagan, Minnesota, Thomson Reuters employs 55,000 people and operates in over 100 countries. For more information, go to www.thomsonreuters.com.

SOURCE Thomson Reuters

CONTACT: Brian Erni, +1-631-656-9736, brian@jroderick.com

Web Site: http://www.thomsonreuters.com

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Cybornetics Trailer Release This Friday the 13th at 8PM!

Cybornetics Trailer Release This Friday the 13th at 8PM!

360 Sound and Vision will release its trailer for Cybornetics this Friday the 13th at 8PM Eastern time. Cybornetics, a new independent original science fiction movie about a group of scientists who transform a young man into a cyborg, is the much anticipated 2nd feature film written and directed by emerging artist, Dwayne Buckle.

360 Sound and Vision is an independently owned film distribution company located in Tribeca, New York City, which specializes in African-American Drama, Action, Science Fiction, Thriller and Fantasy based films, bringing a diversified niche to Black programming…that people from all races can enjoy.

The movie starring, Justiin A. Davis (Boardwalk Empire), James Rich, and Raw Leiba (Limitless), explores mankind's quest to merge with his technology.

Go to www.cybornetics.net this Friday and catch a first time glimpse of this much anticipated movie which will be released this June.

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Mike Wallace Showed Us All the Way To Work A Story

Myron Leon "Mike" Wallace (May 9, 1918 – April 7, 2012).

9 Apr 2012 02:58 Africa/Lagos



Statement by National Press Club President Theresa Werner on the Passing of Mike Wallace

WASHINGTON, April 8, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The following statement was issued today by National Press Club President Theresa Werner on the passing of CBS Newsman Mike Wallace,

"Mike Wallace was an original journalist with a unique and effective style. His trademark interviews bursting into offices with cameras rolling brought journalism to a place it had never been before. Mike Wallace made 60 Minutes what it is today – a program unmatched in the field. He showed us all the way to work a story. He will be missed."


SOURCE National Press Club
CONTACT: Bill McCarren, +1-202-662-7534 for the National Press Club

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Rihanna Talks about Her Challenges in New Movie “Battleship.”

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"Hunger in America" Film, Narrated by James Denton of "Desperate Housewives"

Skydive Films Launches "Hunger in America" Film, Narrated by James Denton of "Desperate Housewives"

"Desperate Housewives" star James Denton takes a bite out of "Hunger in America," a new documentary film tackling the hunger issue in America.

NASHVILLE, Tenn., April 6, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- "Desperate Housewives" star James Denton and production companies Skydive Films and Casting Life Films have teamed up to produce a powerful new documentary tackling the hunger issue in America.

"When I think about hunger, I think about kids in third world countries, not adults and children here in America. When you hear the stats, they are staggering," says Zac Adams who is serving as the film's writer, director, and producer. My goal with this film is to educate and raise awareness. We hope to motivate people to get out there and do something about this growing epidemic."

"It's an issue that definitely needs to be talked about," says Denton, who is serving as the film's narrator and is best known for playing Mike Delfino on ABC's hit show, "Desperate Housewives."

"I am passionate about the issue of Hunger in America because in a country with so much excess, food should not be considered a luxury," says co-producer Mindy Lawrence.

Mike Stryker, who is serving as the film's cinematographer and editor, states that, "A third world exists here in America, a world that most Americans have never seen."

The film has already begun shooting and will continue filming across the United States until summer 2012.

Director Zac Adams' most recent film, "Nashville Rises," an Emmy-nominated documentary narrated by Oscar winner Billy Bob Thornton, tells the story of how the city responded to the worst natural flood disaster in Tennessee history.

"With 'Nashville Rises,' we hoped to inspire people of how a community came together and a city rose up. In 'Hunger in America,' our mission is to make a positive impact by screening this film on TV, film festivals, and the Internet. Funds made on this film will go back into the communities where people need it the most."

"Hunger in America" will be released in the fall of 2012. It's co-produced by Randy Ryder, Joel Hahn, Mark Slaughter, Mike Stryker, Jeffrey Chase, and Camron Carrier, all of whom worked on "Nashville Rises."

SOURCE Skydive Films

CONTACT: Zac Adams of Skydive Films, +1-615-414-5871, zac@skydivefilms.com

Web Site: http://www.skydivefilms.com

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Last Minute Tax Tips from the IRS

Last Minute Tax Tips from the IRS

WASHINGTON, April 03, 2012 /PRNewswire/ — Even with some extra time, the tax deadline is fast approaching. Thanks to a holiday in the District of Columbia, all taxpayers have until April 17 to get Form 1040 into the IRS.

For people who find taxes a little too taxing, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has a program that can help. It’s called Free File. You can use free software to do your taxes and e-file for free. Get started at IRS.gov/freefile.

Free File is a partnership between the IRS and leading tax software providers who make their brand-name products available for free. The software does the hard work − doing the math and helping you find the tax breaks you’re due.

There is a free option for everyone. People who make $57,000 or less, which includes most Americans, can use the Free File software. People who make more can use the Free File Fillable Form, an electronic version of the IRS paper form.

If you don’t think you can meet the April 17 deadline, you can request an extension. Making the request is easy and free. You can use Free File to make your request at IRS.gov/freefile. Select “Browse the list of Free File companies” and look for “free extensions” in the company offers. But remember, this is an extension to file your return, not to pay. If you think you owe, send a payment with your extension request.

The IRS recognizes many people find this time of year stressful. Here are some tips that may help:

• Don’t wait until the last minute, you’re prone to make mistakes;
• Use IRS.gov for answers to your questions or to track your refund;
• Use Free File, there’s a free option for everyone;
• Don’t panic if you can’t pay; you can arrange for a payment agreement at IRS.gov;
• If you can’t make the April 17 deadline, use Free File to request an extension and make a payment if needed.

Attention Editors and PSA Directors: the following assets are available for download:

• Diane Fox, Free File Director, IRS, discussing the Free File program, this year’s tax filing deadline, how to request an extension and tax tips:
• Sound bites − MPEG-4
• Interview video (MPEG-4) and audio (MP3)
• B-roll of individual using Free File and checks printing
• PSAs for your rotation:http://www.plowsharegroup.com/media_downloads/irs_freefile2012.php?#tabs-3

Media Contact:
IRS Media Relations Offices

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United

More Than 3.6 Million Kids Smoke Cigarettes in America

Surgeon General releases new report on youth smoking
More than 3.6 million kids smoke cigarettes



Washington, DC, March 29, 2012 /PRNewswire/ — The fight against youth tobacco use was accelerated today by Surgeon General Dr. Regina Benjamin, with the release of the Surgeon General’s Report, Preventing Tobacco Use Among Youth and Young Adults. This report details the scope, health consequences and influences that lead to youth tobacco use and proven strategies that prevent its use.

To help communicate the report findings and steps every American can take to join the fight against youth tobacco use, the surgeon general also unveiled a guide with practical information on addressing tobacco use in young people, Preventing Tobacco Use Among Youth and Young Adults: We Can Make the Next Generation Tobacco-Free. In addition, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Office on Smoking and Health will launch the Surgeon General’s Video Challenge to engage youth and young adults in developing original videos that feature one or more of the report’s findings. More information can be found at www.Challenge.gov.

Tobacco is the leading cause of preventable and premature death, killing more than 1,200 Americans every day. For every tobacco-related death two new young people under the age of 26 become regular smokers. Nearly 90 percent of these replacement smokers try their first cigarette by age 18. Approximately 3 out of 4 high school smokers continue to smoke well into adulthood.

“Targeted marketing encourages more young people to take up this deadly addiction every day,” said HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius. “This administration is committed to doing everything we can to prevent our children from using tobacco.”

This administration has taken historic steps to protect children from the dangers of tobacco use including the passage of the Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act (TCA) which gives the Food and Drug Administration authority to regulate tobacco products to prevent use by minors. TCA prevents tobacco use through activities such as age and identification verification at retailers, restrictions on the sale of single cigarettes and a ban on certain candy and fruit-flavored cigarettes. Other activities include support for state quitlines and implementation of web and mobile based interventions aimed to reach young people.

The surgeon general’s report provides further scientific evidence on the addictive nature of nicotine. The younger individuals are when they start using tobacco, the more likely they are to become addicted and the more heavily addicted they will become.

“The addictive power of nicotine makes tobacco use much more than a passing phase for most teens. We now know smoking causes immediate physical damage, some of which is permanent,” said Dr. Benjamin. “Today, more than 600,000 middle school students and 3 million high school students smoke. We don’t want our children to start something now that they won’t be able to change later in life.”

While the long-term health effects of tobacco use are well known, this report concludes that smoking early in life has substantial health risks that begin immediately in young smokers. These include serious early cardiovascular damage and a reduction of lung functionality. This lung damage is permanent, causes shortness of breath immediately and increases the risk of pulmonary diseases later in life.

Expenditures for marketing and promotion of tobacco products exceed $1 million an hour – over $27 million a day – in the United States alone. Targeted messages and images that portray smoking as an acceptable, appealing activity for young people are widespread, and advertising for tobacco products is prominent in retail stores and online.

“We can and must continue to do more to accelerate the decline in youth tobacco use,” said Dr. Howard Koh, assistant secretary for health at HHS. “Until we end the tobacco epidemic, more young people will become addicted, more people will die, and more families will be devastated by the suffering and loss of loved ones.”

Copies of the full Report, executive summary, and the easy-to-read guide may be downloaded at http://www.surgeongeneral.gov. To order printed copies of these documents go to http://www.cdc.gov/tobacco and click on the Publications Catalog link under Tools & Resources.For access to quitting resources visit www.smokefree.gov.

###

Cntact:
CDC Press Office
(770) 488-5493
media@hhs.gov
www.hhs.gov/news

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