New Jersey’s Award-Winning Hospitals

The Garden State’s healthcare systems are consistently being recognized for achievements ranging from improvements in safety to the use of technology.

The Garden State is home to an array of hospitals that is committed to improving the quality and safety of healthcare being delivered to the state residents. Now more than ever, recognitions of these efforts, which include prestigious safety awards from independent organizations like The Leapfrog Group as well as distinctions like Magnet Recognition from the American Nurses Credentialing Center, are helping New Jerseyans make more informed decisions regarding their healthcare.

“New Jersey’s healthcare community has been deliberate in developing strategies and initiatives to improve healthcare quality and patient safety, going back two decades or more,” asserts Cathy Bennett, president and CEO of the New Jersey Hospital Association (NJHA).

Promoting Patient Safety

The NJHA and its Health Research and Educational Trust formed the Institute for Quality and Patient Safety in 2002, and according to Bennett, every hospital in the state, as well as healthcare facilities such as nursing homes, have joined to make healthcare better, safer and more efficient for New Jersey residents. “That work yields results in multiple ways, but we saw it most recently in November when New Jersey hospitals ranked No. 1 nationally in The Leapfrog Group’s Hospital Safety Grade,” she adds.

Inspira Medical Center in Woodbury is just one New Jersey hospital recognized as a 2018 Top General Hospital by the Leapfrog Group. The Valley Hospital also received an “A” grade for patient safety for the 13th time. Hospitals within the Inspira healthcare network have additionally recently received accolades ranging from the 2018 Innovation Award by Philadelphia Business Journal, to “150 Great Places to Work in Healthcare” by Becker’s Hospital Review, to national accreditation from DNV Healthcare for providing quality care in a safe environment.

“At Inspira Health Network, we don’t pursue excellence for the acclaim and gleaming crystal awards. Awards mean little if we’re not able to deliver on our commitment to patient safety, clinical excellence, and outstanding service,” says John DiAngelo, president and CEO of Inspira Health. “We hope that recognition by independent organizations, which use objective criteria to assess clinical quality and the patient experience, brings our patients and community members an additional level of confidence and comfort when they choose Inspira for their healthcare needs.”

Hackensack Meridian Health’s hospitals are also frequently recognized for providing high-quality, innovative care that’s increasingly patient-centric. The Leapfrog Group awarded eight of its hospitals with “A’’ grades for patient safety; four of these hospitals progressed from a “B” to an “A” last year. Four of Hackensack Meridian’s hospitals were recognized by U.S. News & World Report for ranking within the top 10 in New Jersey.

“These awards are a reflection of the dedication and professionalism of our clinical teams, which are focused on the same mission: to deliver the highest quality, compassionate care and to ensure patients have the best experience possible,” says Robert C. Garrett, CEO of Hackensack Meridian Health.

Last year, one of Atlantic Health’s hospitals, Morristown Medical Center, was rated the No. 1 hospital in New Jersey by U.S. News & World Report. It also received the highest possible rating from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, and its seventh consecutive “A” Hospital Safety Grade from The Leapfrog Group. Several other Atlantic Health System hospitals received awards in 2018, including Overlook Medical Center being named a high-performing hospital in neurology and neurosurgery by U.S. News & World Report and Chilton Medical Center being recognized as a top New Jersey hospital under 350 beds by Castle Connolly for the third consecutive year.

“These milestones provide patients and their families with additional evidence and the confidence they need to make informed decisions about their health and wellness while demonstrating the commitment of our dedicated professionals to patient safety and positive outcomes,” says Brian Gragnolati, president and chief executive officer of Atlantic Health System. “Our state also benefits from its many high-quality hospitals and health systems, with teams that are increasingly working together to share best practices and learn from one another in the name of building healthier communities.”

Englewood Health is yet another healthcare system that has been nationally recognized as a leader in providing exceptional and safe patient care by Healthgrades and CareChex® – an information service of Quantros, Inc. – as well as by the American Cancer Society and the NJ Sharing Network. According to an analysis by Quantros, the health system is among the top 10 percent in the nation and in New Jersey for overall medical care, medical excellence, and patient safety in major clinical areas.

At a recent award ceremony held at Englewood Hospital, representatives from Quantros and Healthgrades presented medical excellence and patient safety awards in the following clinical areas: cardiac surgery, cardiology, gastroenterology, general surgery, oncology, neurosurgery/orthopedic surgery, vascular surgery, and women’s health.

Additional awards included the Inaugural Community Partner Award presented by the American Cancer Society and the Health Resources & Services Administration (HRSA) Gold Award presented by the NJ Sharing Network. The College of Healthcare Information Management Executives (CHIME) also named Englewood Hospital as One of Healthcare’s Most Wired Hospitals for the fifth consecutive year.

“Receiving national recognition for our care is truly humbling,” says Warren Geller, president and CEO of Englewood Health. “Each and every one of these honors is a testament to the dedication of our staff to ensure that our patients have the best possible experience and outcome.”

Achievements in a Variety of Clinical and Surgical Sectors

CarePoint Health, which includes Bayonne Medical Center (BMC), Christ Hospital in Jersey City and Hoboken University Medical Center (HUMC), is also being recognized by multiple independent organizations for continuously striving to deliver the highest quality of care to its patients. Bayonne Medical Center received an “A” for safety and was named a Top Teaching Hospital by the Leapfrog Group. Both its BMC and HUMC Transitional Care Units were named Best Nursing Homes by U.S. News & World Report. “These recognitions, along with others, reinforce the system’s mission of putting the patient first and treating with compassion while leading with innovation,” says Randy Minniear, executive vice president for external affairs for CarePoint Health.

St. Joseph’s Health was also recognized as a Top Teaching Hospital by the Leapfrog Group in 2018. Performance across many areas of hospital care is considered in establishing the qualifications for the award, including infection rates, maternity care, and the hospital’s capacity to prevent medication errors. “St. Joseph’s has a long-standing commitment not only to delivering the highest quality care to our patients and communities, but also to teaching the next generation of care providers,” says Kevin J. Slavin, president and CEO of St. Joseph’s Health. “All members of our team are focused on continuously ensuring patient safety and achieving the highest outcomes.”

In addition to teaching, New Jersey’s hospitals are making great strides in specific sectors of patient care, such as labor and delivery. For example, Trinitas Regional Medical Center’s initiative to reduce unnecessary cesarean sections for the well-being of mothers and babies was recently recognized by the NJ Department of Health and the NJHA. Trinitas Regional Medical Center’s low C-section rate – 16.9 percent – is attributed to having in-house nurse midwives in addition to board-certified OB/GYN physicians. “Under the nurse midwifery model of care, the certified nurse midwife will stay with and encourage the mother at bedside through the entire labor and birth experience,” explains Mary McTigue, vice president of patient care services and chief nursing officer for Trinitas Regional Medical Center. Although all 49 New Jersey-based hospitals that provide labor and delivery services have committed to the initiative under the direction of the Department of Health (DOH) and the Institute for Quality and Patient Safety at NJHA, only nine hospitals met the standard of a no more than 23.9 percent C-section rate, according to the Leapfrog Group. 

Four of Hackensack Meridian Health’s hospitals were included among an elite group of 118 identified by Leapfrog for exceptional performance in several areas; in addition to minimizing the rate of C-sections, they were recognized for achievements in infection prevention, use of technology to prevent errors, surgical quality, and leadership practices and policies. 

“These awards are valuable because we’re in an era of unprecedented consumerism. People can choose where, when and how they receive care – and that makes for informed consumers,” Garrett notes. “We fully support transparency in our services and pricing, and do all that we can to make care not only high quality, but affordable and convenient.”

Last year, Valley Hospital was ranked among the top hospitals in the nation for several clinical and surgical areas by Healthgrades, which evaluates performance at almost 4,500 hospitals nationwide for 32 of the most common inpatient procedures and conditions each year. In 2018, the organization recognized Valley as one of America’s 100 Best Hospitals and among the top 5 percent of hospitals in the nation for stroke, general surgery, and gastrointestinal care. Valley was also listed among the top 5 percent in the nation for neurosciences and neurosurgery, and was the recipient of the Critical Care Excellence Award. 

“Our physicians and staff make Valley a hospital of choice for the communities we serve by achieving optimal clinical outcomes for our patients while delivering compassionate care,” says Audrey Meyers, president and CEO of Valley Hospital and Valley Health System.

Awarding Excellence in Nursing

The nurses working within New Jersey’s hospitals are also earning accolades for their efforts in providing outstanding patient care. The American Nurses Credentialing Center’s (ANCC) Magnet Recognition Program awards excellence in nursing, and is the highest honor an organization can receive for its professional nursing practice. The criteria includes everything from patient outcomes to nursing education to innovation. St. Joseph’s University Medical Center, which includes St. Joseph’s Children’s Hospital, once again achieved Magnet designation in 2018; it’s one of just 12 hospitals throughout the country that achieved this honor for nursing excellence for the fifth consecutive time. 

“Magnet recognition reflects our ongoing commitment to deliver world-class care to our patients and their families,” says Judy Padula, vice president of patient care services and chief nursing officer for St. Joseph’s Health. “To earn Magnet recognition once was a great accomplishment and an incredible source of pride for our nurses. Our repeated designation underscores the foundation of excellence and values that drive our entire staff to strive harder each day to meet the healthcare needs of our community.”

This fall, Virtua also achieved Magnet recognition, while Inspira Medical Centers Elmer and Vineland and Health Center Bridgeton have earned national Magnet designation for nursing excellence and overall quality of care since 2008. “Magnet status is a testament to the hard work, energy and enthusiasm of our nurses to be their very best and, in turn, provide the very best care to our patients. And while Magnet is nursing-focused, this achievement reflects the commitment and caring culture of every Virtua team member,” says Tracy Carlino, Virtua senior vice president and chief nursing officer.

Saint Peter’s University Hospital’s Adult ICU Unit has been awarded a Beacon Award from the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN), which recognizes unit caregivers who successfully improve patient outcomes and align practices with AACN’s six Healthy Work Environment Standards. Saint Peter’s is only 1 of 10 ICU units nationwide to have received the award five times in a row.

“For patients and their families, the Beacon Award signifies exceptional care,” says Linda Carroll, MSN, RN-BC, vice president of Patient Care Services at Saint Peter’s. “In addition, nurses who work in organizations and units that meet a national standard for excellence  consistently report healthier work environments and job satisfaction.” 

The 100-member ICU unit at Saint Peter’s is staffed by 80 registered nurses and three advanced practice nurses. Seventy-five percent of nurses who work on the unit hold the national CCRN certification for critical care nursing.

Staying on Top of New Technologies

The national healthcare industry is facing unprecedented pressure to remain on the forefront of the latest advancements in technology, and the Garden State’s hospitals are rising to the occasion. Awards such as HealthCare’s Most Wired survey, which is now overseen by the College of Healthcare Information Management Executives (CHIME), recognized several RWJBarnabas Health facilities as Most Wired Hospitals. Virtua also earned the Most Wired distinction for the fifth consecutive year in 2018, and Valley Health System earned the award for the 18th consecutive year.

“Having the right information at the right time is increasingly essential in healthcare,” explains Tom Gordon, Virtua’s senior vice president and chief information officer. “Virtua’s continuing designation as a Most Wired health organization shows another important way we’re committed to enhancing patient care, and to supporting our clinicians in the vital work they do each day.”

“Valley is proud to have once again made the Most Wired list,” adds Eric Carey, vice president of information systems and chief information officer for Valley Health System. “We’re strategically leveraging our technology to optimize access to high-quality care and communication with our patients.”

In its 20th year, HealthCare’s “Most Wired” traditionally tracked the adoption of healthcare IT in hospitals and health systems, and when CHIME took over the “Most Wired” ranking, it began to focus on identifying best practices and promoting the strategic use of healthcare IT to elevate the health and care of communities throughout the world. 

“We’ve worked hard to adopt technologies and implement clinical systems to improve the delivery of care,” says Robert G. Irwin, chief information officer for RWJBarnabas Health. “We’re optimizing clinical workflows so that our clinicians receive timely alerts and are able to quickly respond to patient needs, and so we’re honored to receive this prestigious award for the technology that enables us to provide safe, effective and efficient care to our patients.”

Developing Healthier Communities

Looking ahead, New Jersey’s hospitals are committed to their efforts to enhance patient care, safety and outcomes while meeting the demands of today’s consumer-driven economy. Beyond what’s happening within the walls of the state’s hospitals, Bennett notes that New Jersey’s health systems and their employees are increasingly investing in promoting health within the community, from initiatives ranging from community gardens and farmers markets to supportive housing and other social determinants that have proven critical to good health.

“It’s great to receive awards, but what’s most important is the hard work behind those accolades. Providing the best quality care and service demands the focus of every member of the healthcare team: on the patient floor, in the kitchen, the pharmacy, the business office, and every corner of the organization,” she concludes. “You also need leadership at the top that infuses a culture of quality and safety that carries through every facet. The healthcare workforce in New Jersey is second to none, and they take great pride in this work.”

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