Speak with some of the more than 3,500 people who had procedures done last year at The Heart Institute of Doylestown Hospital, and you’ll undoubtedly hear some very positive things about us. Personal recommendations are always helpful when you’re deciding where to go for medical treatment, but they don’t always give you a complete picture of what happens behind the scenes to assure clinical quality. Now you can add to those personal recommendations the results of an independent, national study that analyzed patient outcomes at virtually all of the nation’s 5,000 hospitals over the years 2004, 2005 and 2006. The findings: Doylestown Hospital was found to be a “best” performer (5-star rating) in four critical areas of cardiac care – valve replacement surgery, coronary interventional procedures including angioplasties and stents, and the treatment of heart attack and heart failure.

Independent and objective information
The Tenth Annual HealthGrades Quality in America Study, conducted by the country’s leading healthcare ratings organization, placed Doylestown Hospital in the top 10 hospitals in Pennsylvania for cardiology services, making us one of only three Philadelphia area hospitals – and the only hospital in Bucks County – included in the top 10. The study also found that Doylestown Hospital is the only Bucks County hospital to receive 5-star ratings for valve replacement surgery and coronary interventional procedures.

“It’s gratifying for us to know that our state-of-the- art facility and outstanding cardiac services have been recognized by such a prestigious, independent organization,” says Scott Levy, MD, Chief Medical Officer of Doylestown Hospital. “This study acknowledges the level of performance and quality of care that we’ve always known we’ve had.”

Others agree. “The HealthGrades study clearly distinguishes us from other hospitals in the area,” adds John Mitchell, Director of Cardiovascular Services at Doylestown Hospital. “Other hospitals may talk the talk, but this study provides people with an independent evaluation of our cardiology program and other programs across the country. Objective information such as this can be important in guiding people when they’re looking for outstanding cardiology services.”

Ranked among the best
Doylestown Hospital opened its first cardiac cath lab in 1991 in response to patients’ requests for more sophisticated cardiac services close to home. The hospital began offering emergency angioplasty to heart attack patients as part of a national study in 1997, then expanded its capabilities to include open heart surgery in 2000. “Throughout all the years of growth, our goal was always to offer the same high level of quality as the premier regional heart programs,” states Doylestown Hospital CEO Rich Reif. “This report by HealthGrades confirms that we have achieved that goal and, indeed, gone beyond."

Study Results at a Glance
HealthGrades analyzed patient outcomes data (from Medicare discharges) at virtually all of the nation’s 5,000 hospitals over the years 2004, 2005 and 2006.

To view the complete study as well as the 2008 HealthGrades ratings for all hospitals nationwide, go to www.healthgrades.com.

TO FIND A CARDIOLOGIST affiliated with The Heart Institute of Doylestown Hospital, call PulseLine at (215) 345-2121 or visit www.dh.org and click on ‘Find a Physician.’ You will also find a wealth of information about a wide range of medical conditions, including cardiovascular disease, on the website.