John Muir Health is committed to providing quality health care for the community. The awards received each year by John Muir Health's hospitals, other entities and services reflect these ongoing efforts.

John Muir Health's medical centers are two of only three California hospitals to receive the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association's Get With the Guidelines SM (GWTG) program Triple Performance Achievement award for 2008 for stroke, heart failure, and coronary artery disease. John Muir Health's hospitals are the only two recognized with this quality improvement achievement in Northern California.

Health System Awards | Clinical Program Awards | Staff Awards | Awards Archive

Awards Archive

2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 | 2003 | 2002 | 2001 | 2000

2008 Awards

National Trauma Report Card Results Show John Muir Among Top 5 Performing Hospitals

2008 -- Funded by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, the Survival Measurement and Reporting Trial for Trauma (SMARTT) is a trial of a National Trauma Report Card intended to serve as a catalyst for policy development to improve short- and long-term outcomes for trauma patients. John Muir, along with 125 other U.S. Level I and II trauma centers, was selected to participate based on the quality of our annual data submissions to the National Trauma Data Bank.

John Muir consistently scored among the top five performing hospitals included in the study, with survival rates well above the national average. The odds of a very high-risk trauma patient dying at John Muir are 1 in 3 compared to the average trauma center. The Report Card also states that "the likelihood that your hospital is a very-high quality hospital is 100 percent."

[back to top]

John Muir Health Hospitals Receive American Stroke Association's Get With The Guidelines Gold Performance Achievement Award

2008 -- John Muir Medical Centers in Walnut Creek and Concord recently received the American Stroke Association's Get With The Guidelines^SM-Stroke (GWTG-Stroke) Gold Performance Achievement Award. The award recognizes John Muir's commitment and success in implementing a higher standard of stroke care by ensuring that stroke patients receive treatment for at least 24 months according to nationally accepted standards and recommendations.

"With a stroke, time lost is brain lost, and the GWTG-Stroke Gold Performance Achievement Award addresses the important element of time," said Jeanette Engle-Ramirez, Executive Director of Neurology, Orthopedics and Rehabilitation at John Muir Health. John Muir has developed a comprehensive system for rapid diagnosis and treatment of stroke patients admitted to the emergency department. This includes always being equipped to provide brain imaging scans, having neurologists available to conduct patient evaluations and using clot-busting medications when appropriate.

To receive the GWTG-Stroke Gold Performance Achievement Award, John Muir demonstrated 85% adherence in the GWTG-Stroke key measures for 24 or more consecutive months. These include aggressive use of medications like tPA, antithrombotics, anticoagulation therapy, DVT prophylaxis, cholesterol-reducing drugs, and smoking cessation.

"The American Stroke Association commends John Muir Medical Center- Walnut Creek Campus and John Muir Medical Center - Concord Campus for their success in implementing standards of care and protocols," said Lee H. Schwamm, M.D., national Get With The Guidelines Steering Committee Member and director of the acute stroke services at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston. "The full implementation of acute care and secondary prevention recommendations and guidelines is a critical step in saving the lives and improving outcomes of stroke patients."

GWTG-Stroke uses the "teachable moment," the time soon after a patient has had a stroke, when they are most likely to listen to and follow their healthcare professionals' guidance. Studies demonstrate that patients who are taught how to manage their risk factors while still in the hospital reduce their risk of a second heart attack or stroke. Through GWTG-Stroke, customized patient education materials are made available at the point of discharge, based on patients' individual risk profiles. The take-away materials are written in an easy-to-understand format and are available in English and Spanish. In addition, the GWTG Patient Management Tool provides access to up-to-date cardiovascular and stroke science at the point of care.

"The time is right for John Muir Health to be focused on improving the quality of stroke care by implementing GWTG Stroke. The number of acute ischemic stroke patients eligible for treatment is expected to grow over the next decade due to increasing stroke incidence and a large aging population," said Engle-Ramirez.

According to the American Stroke Association, each year approximately 700,000 people suffer a stroke - 500,000 are first attacks and 200,000 are recurrent. Of stroke survivors, 21 percent of men and 24 percent of women die within a year, and for those aged 65 and older, the percentage is even higher.

For further information on the recognition from the American Heart Association, visit www.americanheart.org.

[back to top]

John Muir Medical Center - Walnut Creek Campus Named One of "America's Best Hospitals" by U.S.News & World Report

2008 -- John Muir Medical Center - Walnut Creek Campus has been named one of "America's Best Hospitals 2008" by U.S.News & World Report in five specialty areas: Orthopedics, Gastrointestinal Disorders, Respiratory Disorders, Geriatric Care and Endocrinology. This year, 5,453 medical centers were evaluated; John Muir Medical Center's Walnut Creek Campus was among 170 hospitals nationwide to receive the "Best Hospitals" distinction.

According to U.S News, the rankings were developed and the specialties chosen explicitly to help consumers determine which hospitals provide the best care for the most serious and complicated medical conditions and procedures - not for those that are relatively commonplace.

"This recognition further highlights our commitment to our patients and the community," says Jane Willemsen, president and chief administrative officer of John Muir Medical Center - Walnut Creek Campus. "We believe in our talented, skilled and dedicated physicians and staff to provide the finest care available. This is indeed an achievement that we can all be proud of." With one of the Bay Area's largest and most comprehensive orthopedic programs, John Muir Health is recognized for providing the latest technology and innovative treatment options. Highlights include:

• Minimally invasive techniques for total hip and knee replacement to advanced traumatic reconstruction.
• Board-certified, specialty-trained orthopedic surgeons on staff specialize in such areas as total joint, spine, hand, trauma and sports medicine.

John Muir Health is also a regional leader in diagnosing and treating of malignant and benign gastrointestinal disorders. We offer:

• Technologically-advanced treatments such as minimally invasive colorectal surgery, liver resections, small and large bowel procedures, stomach, esophageal, pancreatic, duodenal and other digestive system procedures.
• Highly-trained specialists such as gastroenterologists, surgeons and other healthcare professionals committed to delivering innovative and compassionate care.

In addition, John Muir Health has advanced programs for improving the quality of life of those suffering from respiratory conditions such as asthma and pulmonary disease (COPD); offers nationally-recognized inpatient and outpatient care for individuals with diabetes and other endocrine disorders; and is committed to providing comprehensive inpatient and outpatient care and services for its geriatric population.

For further information on the recognition from U.S. News, visit www.usnews.com.

[back to top]

John Muir Health Hospitals receive American Heart Association's Get With The Guidelines Silver Performance Achievement Award for Heart Failure Care

2008 -- John Muir Medical Centers - Walnut Creek and Concord Campuses have received the Get With The Guidelines-Heart Failure (GWTG-HF) Silver Performance Achievement Award from the American Heart Association.

The recognition signifies that both John Muir Medical Centers have reached an aggressive goal of treating heart failure patients with 85 percent compliance for one year to core standard levels of care as outlined by the American Heart Association/American College of Cardiology secondary prevention guidelines for heart failure patients.

Both John Muir Medical Centers exceeded the goal of 85 percent set by the GWTG program and reached 100 percent compliance for many of the standards of care for heart failure.

Get With The Guidelines is a quality improvement initiative that provides hospital staff with tools that follow proven evidence-based guidelines and procedures in caring for heart failure patients to prevent future hospitalizations.

According to GWTG-HF treatment guidelines, heart failure patients are started on aggressive risk-reduction therapies such as beta-blockers and ACE inhibitors in the hospital. They also receive self management counseling, smoking cessation counseling and heart failure education before being discharged.

"The full implementation of national heart failure guideline recommended care is a critical step in preventing recurrent hospitalizations and prolonging the lives of heart failure patients," said Gregg C. Fonarow, M.D., National Chairman of the GWTG Steering Committee and director of Ahmanson-UCLA Cardiomyopathy Center.

"The goal of the American Heart Association's Get With The Guidelines program is to help hospitals like John Muir Medical Center implement appropriate evidence-based care and protocols that will reduce disability and the number of deaths in these patients."

According to the American Heart Association, about 5.2 million people suffer from heart failure. Statistics also each year more than 57,000 people will die of heart failure.

"Both John Muir Medical Centers in Concord and Walnut Creek are dedicated to making our care for heart failure patients among the best in the country. We will continue in our efforts and build off the success of this award by continued implementation of the American Heart Association's Get With The Guidelines-Heart Failure program that allowed us to accomplish this goal," said Margaret Simor, director, John Muir Cardiovascular Service Line.

GWTG-Heart Failure helps John Muir Health's staff develop and implement acute and secondary prevention guideline processes. The program includes quality-improvement measures such as care maps, discharge protocols, standing orders and measurement tools. This quick and efficient use of guideline tools will enable John Muir Health to improve the quality of care it provides heart failure patients, save lives and ultimately, reduce healthcare costs by lowering the recurrence of heart attacks.

The program mobilizes teams in acute care hospitals to implement American Heart Association/American College of Cardiology secondary prevention guidelines.

For further information on the recognition from the American Heart Association, visit www.americanheart.org.

[back to top]

John Muir Health Hospitals Receive American Heart Association's Get With The Guidelines Silver Performance Achievement Award for Coronary Artery Care

2008 -- John Muir Medical Center - Concord and Walnut Creek Campuses recently received the American Heart Association's Get With The Guidelines-Coronary Artery Disease (GWTG-CAD) Silver Performance Achievement Award.

The award recognizes John Muir Medical Centers' commitment and success in implementing a higher standard of cardiac care that effectively improves treatment of patients hospitalized with coronary artery disease.

According to the GWTG-CAD treatment guidelines, patients are started on aggressive risk reduction therapies such as cholesterol-lowering drugs, aspirin, ACE inhibitors and beta-blockers in the hospital and receive smoking cessation counseling and referrals for cardiac rehabilitation before they are discharged.

Hospitals that receive the GWTG-CAD Silver Performance Achievement Award have demonstrated for at least one year that 85 percent of its eligible coronary patients (without contraindications) are discharged following the American Heart Association's recommended treatment guidelines. Both John Muir Medical Centers exceeded the goal of 85 percent compliance for many of the standards of care for coronary artery disease.

"The American Heart Association applauds John Muir Medical Centers for their success in implementing the appropriate evidence-based care and protocols to reduce the number of recurrent events and deaths in cardiovascular disease patients," said Gregg C. Fonarow, M.D., National Chairman of the Get With The Guidelines Steering Committee and Director of Ahmanson-UCLA Cardiomyopathy Center. "John Muir Health has achieved a high level of performance in terms of implementing these life-prolonging treatments."

"Both John Muir Medical Centers are dedicated to making our cardiac units among the best in the country, and the American Heart Association's Get With The Guidelines program is helping us accomplish that by making it easier for our professionals to improve the long-term outcomes of our cardiac patients," said Margaret Simor, director, Cardiovascular Service Line. "We are pleased to be recognized for our dedication and achievements in cardiac care."

The American Heart Association's GWTG-CAD program helps hospitals increase the use of and adherence to the association's secondary prevention guidelines for coronary artery disease. Developed to assist healthcare professionals follow proven standards and procedures before patients are discharged, GWTG-CAD can help John Muir Health reduce the risk of recurrent heart attacks and death in treated patients.

The program, which works by mobilizing teams in acute care hospitals to implement American Heart Association/American College of Cardiology secondary prevention guidelines, was developed with support from an unrestricted educational grant from Merck & Co., Inc.

According to the American Heart Association, approximately 565,000 people suffer a new heart attack and 300,000 experience a recurrent heart attack each year. Statistics also show that within one year of a heart attack, 18 percent of men and 23 percent of women will die. Within five years after an attack, about 33 percent of men and 43 percent of women will die.

The American Heart Association's GWTG program is being implemented in hospitals around the country.

For further information on the recognition from the American Heart Association, visit www.americanheart.org.

[back to top]

John Muir Medical Center - Walnut Creek Campus Earns Magnet Recognition for
Nursing Excellence

2008 -- The American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) has awarded its Magnet recognition status for excellence in nursing services and quality nursing care to John Muir Medical Center - Walnut Creek Campus. The Magnet Recognition Program^® recognizes health care organizations that demonstrate excellence in nursing practice and adherence to national standards for the organization and delivery of nursing services. The honor reflects that the nursing care program has been named one of the best in the nation.

John Muir Medical Center - Walnut Creek Campus is the only center in the East Bay to achieve Magnet recognition status. It is the 12th site to be recognized in California. Nationwide, fewer than 300 organizations have received this accolade. Currently, John Muir Medical Center - Concord Campus is also on the journey to nursing excellence.

To earn Magnet recognition, organizations undergo a rigorous evaluation that includes extensive interviews and review of nursing services. Research shows there are clear benefits to hospitals that are awarded Magnet status, and to the communities they serve:

• Health care consumers have more confidence in the overall quality of a hospital if it has achieved the level of excellence established by the Magnet Recognition Program.
• Magnet designated facilities consistently outperform other facilities in recruiting and retaining quality nurses, resulting in increased stability in patient care and patient satisfaction.
• Because quality nursing is one of the most important factors in enlisting high caliber physicians and specialists, Magnet status becomes an attractive force that extends to the entire organization.

Additional information about the American Nurses Credentialing Center and the Magnet Recognition Program is available online at the ANCC Web site.

[back to top]

2007 Awards

John Muir Health hospitals recognized with Gold Sustained Performance Award for quality stroke care by American Heart Association/American Stroke Association

2007 -- WALNUT CREEK, CA - John Muir Medical Center - Concord Campus and John Muir Medical Center - Walnut Creek campus are among 277 hospitals in the United States recognized in the July 23 issue of US News & World Report by the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association's Get With the Guidelines SM (GWTG) program in an ad for its performance achievement in stroke patient care.

The American Heart Association/American Stroke Association's GWTG program is a quality-improvement program that helps hospitals insure that patients consistently receive cardiac and stroke care in accordance with the most up-to-date guidelines and recommendations.

GWTG has three modules to help hospitals use evidence-based guidelines to treat patients with coronary artery disease, stroke and/or heart failure. Hospitals that continually meet or exceed the nationally accepted standards, or guidelines, improve their quality patient care by turning guidelines into lifelines.

Upon meeting criteria specific to each module, hospitals are recognized for performance achievement if at least 85 percent of their cardiac or stroke patients (without contraindications) are treated and discharged according to the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association's guidelines and recommendations. The American Heart Association/American Stroke Association's ad recognizes John Muir Health's commitment and success in performance achievement.

"GWTG is about improving quality of care and saving lives, so the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association wanted to recognize John Muir Health's contribution to quality cardiovascular care in a publication such as US News & World Report, which focuses its July issue on the top 100 hospitals. Both John Muir campuses have implemented and maintained the appropriate standards of performance in cardiac and stroke care for patients," said Gregg C. Fonarow, M.D., American Heart Association volunteer chairman for the national GWTG Steering Committee. "We are proud of John Muir Health's efforts for implementing these lifesaving treatments."

For further information on the recognition from the American Heart Association, visit www.americanheart.org.

[back to top]

John Muir Medical Center - Concord and Walnut Creek Campus Receives American Heart Association's "Get With the Guidelines" Bronze Performance Achievement Award

2007 -- John Muir Medical Center - Concord and Walnut Creek Campuses have received the "Get with the Guidelines (GWTG)" Bronze Performance Achievement Award from the American Heart Association for coronary heart disease (CAD) and heart failure (HF). The award recognizes John Muir Health's commitment and success in implementing a higher standard of care for patients with coronary heart disease and heart failure.

To receive the bronze in both heart failure and coronary heart disease award, both campuses demonstrated for at least 90 days that more than 85 percent of its eligible coronary patients and heart failure patients (without contraindications) were discharged following the American Heart Association's recommended treatment guidelines (Table 1). The American Heart Association's GWTG-CAD and GWTG-HF programs help hospitals increase the use of and adherence to the association's guidelines for coronary artery disease and heart failure. Developed to assist healthcare professionals folow proven standards and procedures before patients are discharged, GWTG-CAD and GWTG-HF is helping John Muir Health improve patient outcomes.

"The American Heart Association applauds John Muir Health for its success in implementing the appropriate evidence-based care and protocols to reduce the number of recurrent events, disability and death in cardiovascular and heart failure patients," says Gregg C. Fonarow, M.D., National Chairman of the Get With The Guidelines Steering Committee and Director of Ahmanson-UCLA Cardiomyopathy Center. "John Muir Health has achieved a high level of performance in terms of implementing these life-prolonging treatments," he adds.

"John Muir Health is dedicated to making our hospitals among the best in the country by providing leading-edge care in a compassionate environment," says Margaret Simor, RN, MSN, CRN. "The American Heart Association's Get with the Guidelines program is helping us accomplish that by making it easier for our professionals to improve the long-term outcomes of our cardiac patients and prolonging the lives of those in heart failure. We are pleased to be recognized for our dedication and achievements in these areas." Our participation in Get with the Guidelines demonstrates our commitment to quality care. We are proud to be a part of the American Heart Association's efforts to turn guidelines into lifelines^SM.

[back to top]

HealthGrades Ranks John Muir Medical Centers Among Top Five Percent of U.S. Hospitals for Clinical Excellence

2007 -- In an independent study released today of clinical care at nearly 5,000 U.S. hospitals, John Muir Medical Center - Walnut Creek Campus and John Muir Medical Center - Concord Campus ranked among the top five percent of hospitals nationally for the second consecutive year.

The annual study of mortality and complication rates across 27 medical procedures and diagnoses is conducted by HealthGrades, the independent health care quality company that analyzes clinical outcomes, performance and quality at the nation's 4,971 non-federal hospitals. This year, only 296 hospitals achieved ranking in the top five percent.

In presenting the 2008 Distinguished Hospital Award for Clinical Excellence™ to each of the medical centers, HealthGrades noted that patients admitted to hospitals receiving the award are, on average, 27 percent less likely to face mortality and 5 percent less likely to experience a major complication.

HealthGrades estimates that, if all patients at surveyed hospitals in 2004-2006 were treated at Distinguished Hospitals, 171,424 lives could have been saved and 9,671 post-operative complications could have been avoided.

"We're pleased to have the independent HealthGrades organization recognize the efforts of our exceptional hospital and medical staffs," says Roy Kaplan, M.D., medical director of quality and clinical effectiveness. "Clinical excellence is ingrained in the culture of John Muir Health. We're constantly pushing ourselves, even beyond the boundaries of national benchmarks. We strive for the ideal: optimal outcomes and safety for every patient."

Dawn Knight, vice president of quality and patient safety for John Muir Health, echoes this characterization. "The HealthGrades award is validation of the work we do every day. At John Muir Health, we expect nothing less than exceptional care. Benchmarks and national targets are great sources of comparison but they fall short of excellence. This means that, in our pursuit of quality, we're concerned with each and every patient, not just a majority."

For example, in 2007, when the Centers for Disease Control established a national benchmark for hospital-acquired pneumonia at 2.7 per 1,000 days for patients on ventilators, Knight says they targeted zero infections. In a report just released, the John Muir medical centers in Walnut Creek and Concord reported that, in 2007, ventilator-associated pneumonia rates were 0.2 and 0.3, respectively, per 1,000 ventilator days.

For more information www.healthgrades.com.

Readers of "J" Pick John Muir Medical Centers as Favorites

2007 -- The Concord and Walnut Creek campuses of John Muir Medical Center were rated as the favorite East Bay hospital winners in the August 2007 Readers' Choice Awards for "J" - the Jewish news weekly of Northern California. The award also references the Behavioral Health Center and John Muir Physician Network.

John Muir Medical Center - Concord and Walnut Creek Campuses Recognized for Implementing Quality Stroke Care

John Muir Medical Center's Concord and Walnut Creek campuses were recognized earlier this year by the American Stroke Association's "Get With the Guidelines" (GWTG) program for their performance achievement in stroke patient care. The Concord Campus is the recipient of the gold Sustained Achievement Award and the Walnut Creek Campus received the silver Annual Achievement Award. Both awards recognize John Muir Health's success in implementing a higher standard of stroke care by ensuring that stroke patients receive treatment according to nationally accepted standards and recommendations.

To receive the gold Sustained Achievement Award, the Concord Campus consistently complied for 24 consecutive months with the requirements in the GWTG - Stroke program. These include aggressive use of interventions like tPA (clot-busting medication), antithrombotic medications, anticoagulation therapy, DVT prophylaxis, cholesterol reducing drugs, and smoking cessation education. The Walnut Creek Campus received the silver Achievement Award for following the GWTG-Stroke program for 12 consecutive months. To achieve these recognition levels, hospitals must demonstrate 85 percent adherence in the GWTG-Stroke key measures.

"With a stroke, time lost is brain lost and these GWTG-Stroke achievement awards address the important element of time," says Raymond Stephens, M.D., medical director for the Stroke Center at the Concord Campus. "Both our Concord and Walnut Creek campuses are committed to providing excellent care. We are proud that both medical centers are being recognized for the quality of care we deliver to our stroke patients."

As Primary Stroke Centers certified by the Joint Commission, a national surveyor of quality patient care, John Muir Medical Center's Concord and Walnut Creek campuses and the first in Contra Costa and Alameda Counties, have an organized approach to assessing and treating patients who are having a stroke. Both campuses follow national standards and guidelines that can significantly improve outcomes for stroke patients. These include: rapid assessment of stroke symptoms, neurologists available for consultation 24-hours a day, use of state-of-the-art treatment options including intravenous tPA, designated stroke care units, participation in research protocols, professional stroke education, access to an inpatient rehabilitation unit and outpatient physical rehabilitation services.

Each year, about 700,000 people in the United States suffer a stroke - 500,000 are first attacks and 200,000 are recurrent. Of stroke survivors, 22 percent of men and 25 percent of women die within a year, and for those aged 65 and older, the percentage is even higher.

"The American Stroke Association commends John Muir Medical Center's Walnut Creek and Concord campuses for their success in implementing standards of care and protocols," says Lee H. Schwamm, M.D., national GWTG Steering Committee Member and director of acute stroke services at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston. "The full implementation of acute care and secondary prevention recommendations and guidelines is a critical step in saving the lives and improving outcomes of stroke patients."

About John Muir Neurosciences Institute:
The John Muir Neurosciences Institute is one of the Bay Area's most advanced and comprehensive resources for neurosciences. The Institute offers the latest treatment options for stroke, brain injury, brain tumors, neurotrauma, dementia and spinal injury. The John Muir Neurosciences Institute's clinical specialists are experts who provide some of the most comprehensive neurologic diagnostic treatment available. Visit johnmuirhealth.com for additional details.

About the American Stroke Association:
The American Stroke Association offers a wide array of programs, products and services, from patient education materials to scientific statements with cutting-edge information for healthcare professionals. The organization, a division of the American Heart Association, is a committed leader in providing credible stroke information to individuals and healthcare providers. For more information about the American Stroke Association or its initiatives, visit StrokeAssociation.org or call 1-888-4-STROKE. For more information about Get With The Guidelines - Stroke, e-mail guidelinesinfo@heart.org or visit: www.strokeassociation.org/getwiththeguidelines.

[back to top]

John Muir Medical Center - Walnut Creek Campus Named Consumer Choice Award Winner

2007 -- John Muir Medical Center - Walnut Creek Campus has been recognized as a top Consumer Choice Award winner for quality and image by the Oakland/East Bay community in a recent National Research Corporation (NRC) survey.

Each year NRC honors those hospitals whose consumers rate as having the best quality and image. Now, in its twelfth year, NRC surveyed more than 200,000 households across the country to determine the nation's top hospitals. The Walnut Creek Campus, one of 225 award recipients, was selected by the East Bay community alongside another facility as having exceptional service and care.

Survey respondents were extensively polled on their opinions about local hospital/facilities and care. Among the questions asked: which local hospital has the best doctors, best nurses and best overall quality and image.

11 Gold Seals of Approval™ for John Muir Health

2007 -- John Muir Health received 11 Gold Seals of Approval™ in 2007 from The Joint Commission, the nation's oldest and largest standards-setting and accrediting body in health care. Nearly 15,000 health care organizations and programs in the United State are evaluated and accredited by the Joint Commission.

"We view obtaining Joint Commission accreditation as another step toward achieving excellence," says J. Kendall Anderson, president and CEO, John Muir Health. "The 11 Gold Seals are a validation of our commitment to continuous quality improvement and delivering safe, high quality care."

"Above all, the national standards are intended to stimulate continuous, systematic and organization-wide improvement in an organization's performance and the outcomes of care," says Darlene Christiansen, executive director, Hospital Accreditation Program, The Joint Commission. "The accreditation award recognizes John Muir Health's dedication to complying with The Joint Commission's state-of-the-art standards on a continuous basis."

Gold Seals were received by John Muir Medical Centers – Concord and Walnut Creek Campuses; the John Muir Walnut Creek ambulatory care services; John Muir Behavioral Health Center; John Muir Home Health Services; John Muir Medical Centers- Concord and Walnut Creek Campuses' Laboratory Services. John Muir Health also received Gold Seal certifications for disease-specific health care in the areas of Stroke, Diabetes and Wound Care.

[back to top]

John Muir Medical Center Named One of "America's Best Hospitals"

2007 -- WALNUT CREEK, CA - John Muir Medical Center has been named one of "America's Best Hospitals 2007" by U.S.News & World Report for Orthopedics and Digestive Disorders. This year, 5,462 medical centers were evaluated; John Muir Medical Center's Walnut Creek Campus was among 173 hospitals nationwide to receive the "Best Hospitals" distinction.

According to U.S. News, the rankings were developed and the specialties chosen explicitly to help consumers determine which hospitals provide the best care for the most serious and complicated medical conditions and procedures - not for those that are relatively commonplace.

With the Bay Area's largest and most comprehensive orthopedic program, John Muir Health is committed to providing the latest technology and innovative treatment options from minimally invasive techniques for total hip and knee replacement to advanced traumatic reconstruction. With board certified, specialty trained orthopedic surgeons on staff who specialize in such areas as total joint, spine, hands, trauma and sports medicine, John Muir Health is recognized for its advanced approach to orthopedic medicine. John Muir Health is also ranked number one in Northern California by the Office of Statewide Health Planning and Development (2005 data) for the volume of orthopedic surgeries performed at its medical centers each year, and is pursuing the development of a freestanding orthopedic hospital to further provide highly-specialized, dedicated orthopedic care to the community.

John Muir Health is also a regional leader in the diagnosing and treatment of both malignant and benign digestive disorders. Technologically-advanced treatments such as minimally invasive colorectal surgery, liver resections, small and large bowel procedures, stomach, esophageal, pancreatic, duodenal and other digestive system procedures are all performed. John Muir Health has an array of highly-trained specialists such as gastroenterologists, surgeons and other healthcare professionals committed to delivering innovative and compassionate care.

"This recognition further highlights our commitment to our patients and the community," says J. Kendall Anderson, President and CEO for John Muir Health. "We believe in our talented, skilled and dedicated physicians and staff, to provide the finest care available. This is indeed an achievement that we can all be proud of."

For further information on the recognition from U.S. News, visit www.usnews.com.

[back to top]

John Muir Medical Center, Walnut Creek Campus has received a 2006 - 2007 Consumer Choice Award from the National Research Corporation (NRC).

The Consumer Choice Award identifies hospitals in 180 markets throughout the United States that healthcare consumers have chosen as having the highest quality and image. This is the second year that this campus has been the sole recipient of the award in the Oakland region. Winners are determined by consumer perceptions on multiple quality and image ratings collected in the annual NRC Healthcare Marketing Guide (R) study. Of the 3,000 hospitals named by consumers in the study, the winning facilities rank highest in their Metropolitan Statistical Areas (MSA's), as defined by the United States Census Bureau.

John Muir Medical Center - Concord Campus Receives Emergency Department Team of the Year Award

2007 -- The physicians and staff of the Emergency Department (ED) at John Muir Medical Center - Concord Campus displayed exceptional commitment to delivering the very best in emergency medical care and their collected efforts earned the ED a 2006 Emergency Department Team of the Year Award from CEP America, the national partnership practice model of the California Emergency Physicians (CEP) Medical Group.

In patient satisfaction, the Concord Campus ED continues to maintain top marks on the CEP survey tool on which they rank 2nd in their volume group and 9th out of all CEP-staffed sites. On the Press Ganey patient satisfaction surveys, the ED ranked in the 98th percentile for overall rating of ED care. In addition, the ED physicians ranked at the 97th percentile and ED nurses ranked at the 91st percentile among their peer group on the Press Ganey survey.

The ED, a CEP-staffed site since 2003, embarked on many successful initiatives and improvements throughout 2006 such as an increased number of patient call backs, immediate bedding and bedside registration as well as the creation of an ED and a hospital wide patient flow committee to help alleviate overcrowding as ell as maintaining an average time to see a physician of 35 minutes.

John Muir Medical Center - Walnut Creek Campus Receives HHS Organ Donation Medal of Honor

2007 -- The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) awarded an Organ Donation Medal of Honor to John Muir Medical Center - Walnut Creek Campus. The Walnut Creek Campus was among 18 hospitals in Northern California to earn the award.

Dean Charkow, R.N., CCRN, manager, Critical Care Services, and Kim Pickard, R.N., ICU/NSICU, on the Walnut Creek campus, and Julie Gabbard, our hospital liaison from the California Transplant Donor Network, received the award on behalf of the Walnut Creek Campus staff for their efforts to save and improve lives by facilitating organ and tissue donation for transplantation.

Medal of Honor winners were recognized on October 19, 2006, at a dinner that was the capstone of the second annual Organ Donation Breakthrough Collaborative National Learning Congress in New Orleans, LA.

To be eligible for the Medal of Honor, hospitals must have at least eight eligible donors in a single, continuous 12-month period and have at least 75 percent of those patients who might become organ donors become actual donors. In 2006, the Walnut Creek Campus had 29 eligible organ donors with a donation rate of 75 percent. Because of the dedicated efforts of the hospital staff and the generosity of John Muir Medical Center organ donor families, 85 lifesaving transplants occurred in 2006. John Muir Medical Center - Walnut Creek Campus has met the national conversion rate for two consecutive years.

The hospitals and organ procurement organizations receiving this award are being honored for their exemplary leadership and commitment to organ donors, donor families, and over 93,000 patients on the national transplant waiting list. They also are being honored for the effective relationships they have developed with each other that have generated these life-saving results.

[back to top]

John Muir Medical Center, Walnut Creek Campus Receives Organ Donation Medal of Honor

2007 -- The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) has awarded an Organ Donation Medal of Honor to John Muir Medical Center, Walnut Creek Campus. The Walnut Creek Campus was among 18 hospitals in Northern California to earn the award.

Medal of Honor winners will be recognized on October 19, 2006, at a formal dinner that will be the capstone of the second annual Organ Donation Breakthrough Collaborative National Learning Congress in New Orleans, LA. Dean Charkow, R.N., CCRN, manager, Critical Care Services and Kim Pickard, R.N., ICU/NSICU, on the Walnut Creek campus, and Julie Gabbard, our hospital liaison from the California Transplant Donor Network, will be receiving the award on behalf of the Walnut Creek Campus staff for their efforts to save and improve lives by facilitating organ and tissue donation for transplantation.

To be eligible for the Medal of Honor, hospitals must have at least 8 eligible donors in a single, continuous 12-month period and have at least 75 percent of those patients who might become organ donors become actual donors. In 2005, the Walnut Creek Campus had 26 organ donors with a donation rate of 78 percent. Because of the dedicated efforts of the hospital staff and the generosity of John Muir Medical Center organ donor families, 115 life saving transplants occurred in 2005 and 62 to date in 2006.

The hospitals and organ procurement organizations receiving this award are being honored for their exemplary leadership and commitment to organ donors, donor families, and over 93,000 patients on the national transplant waiting list. They also are being honored for the effective relationships they have developed with each other that have generated these life-saving results.

Fast Facts about Organ Donation

• More than 93,000 people in the United States are waiting for organ transplants to save their lives - 2,300 of those waiting are children under the age of 18. Currently, almost 9600 of these men, women and children are in the Transplant Network's Northern and Central California service area.
• Each day, 18 people - one every 90 minutes - die in the United States because of a shortage of organ donors. In 2004, more than 6,000 individuals died on the U.S. organ-transplant waiting list because the organs they needed were not donated in time.
• One person can potentially save up to eight lives as an organ donor, and improve the lives of more than 50 others through tissue donation. To become a donor, go to donateLIFEcalifornia.org. At this website one can both officially record their wish to be a donor and notify their family.

John Muir Physician Network receives top ratings from NCQA's Pay for Performance Survey

2007 -- A recent survey conducted by the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA), a national organization focusing on measuring quality to improve health care, rating medical groups in California on a multiple clinical and related health care measures, reveal outstanding results for John Muir Physician Network (the Physician Network) across many measure.

Survey highlights include:

• Patient Satisfaction
  The Physician Network scored in the top 10% of medical groups statewide. This measure asks the patient to rate their overall healthcare they experienced with our physicians. This score is the best the Physician Network has ever achieved in this area.
• Diabetes Care for Control of LDL (low density lipids)
  The Physician Network is ranked number one in the State for the control of LDL levels in their patients.
• Heart Disease Care and Breast Cancer Screening
  The Physician Network also ranked among the best medical groups in the State.

For more information about this survey and the National Committee for Quality Assurance, click here: www.ncqa.org.

To learn more information about Quality initiatives at John Muir Health, click here.

[back to top]

2006 Awards

John Muir Health | Staff

John Muir Health

McKesson Chairman's Achievement Award Presented to John Muir Medical Center

2006 -- Recognizing its significant strides in improving patient safety, John Muir Medical Center - Walnut Creek Campus recently received the Chairman's Achievement Award from McKesson. John Muir Health sought to meet its stringent patient safety goals, as well as to provide best practices, increase efficiency, and ensure optimal use of technology by partnering with McKesson. This honor salutes a McKesson strategic partner for creating great value for its organization through installation and integration of McKesson products and services. John Muir Medical Center has "elevated its quality and patient safety efforts to elite levels," according to McKesson.

Radiation Oncology, John Muir Medical Center, Walnut Creek Campus Wins National Improvement Award

2006 -- The Radiation Oncology department, John Muir Medical Center, Walnut Creek Campus, is a proud recipient of Press Ganey Associates 2006 Compass Award. Press Ganey is a nationally recognized company that partners with health care delivery. More than one-third of U.S. inpatient hospitals currently contract with Press Ganey. The company's databases are the largest in the industry, and allow facilities nationwide to benchmark their results against peer organizations. The Compass Award recognizes facilities that show the most improvement over two years in Overall Satisfaction. The Press Ganey Compass Award is a coveted symbol of achievement in the health care satisfaction industry that is bestowed annually. John Muir Medical Center, Walnut Creek Campus, is just one of forty-four facilities to receive this honor.

Dr. Melvin F. Hall, President and Chief Executive Office of Press Ganey noted, "We are proud partners of John Muir Medical Center. Their dedication to continuous improvement serves as a model for all."

John Muir Medical Center, Concord Campus was selected to receive the top 2006 VHA West Coast Award for High Reliability (Sustained Performance Excellence Award) in AMI (acute myocardial infarction) care.

2006 -- As a top performer in this award category, the Concord Campus multidisciplinary team successfully demonstrated a better than 90 percent compliance in all required performance measures for 12 consecutive months during April 2005 through September 2006.

John Muir Medical Center, Walnut Creek Campus was awarded honors in the 2006 Performance Excellence category for AMI (acute myocardial infarction) care.

2006 -- The Walnut Creek multidisciplinary team successfully demonstrated a better than 90 percent compliance with all rate-based indicators for treatment of heart attack patients for at least one quarter during April 2005 through September 2006.

In the category of Team Collaboration, John Muir Medical Center, Concord Campus received three awards. The Cardiovascular Performance Improvement, Cardiac Surgery and Best Practices Teams were recognized for demonstrating their successful integration of new processes, best practices, communication and process flow across multiple departments to significantly improve patient care and outcome performance.

In the area of Performance Improvement John Muir Medical Center, Walnut Creek Campus received awards for their Pneumonia Care and Rapid Response Teams by demonstrating improved care to this population of patients by at least five percent over the course of a quarter.

John Muir Health also received awards in the following categories:

• Roy Kaplan, M.D., and Horacio Asbun, M.D., received Physician Champion awards for their exemplary team leadership and commitment by actively participating on multidisciplinary hospital performance improvement teams, advocating best practice and assuring compliance with evidence-based medicine. Each has made a major contribution to improving patient care and outcome performance measures through staff education and gaining medical staff "buy in" for improvement initiatives.
• Dawn Colburn, Vice President, John Muir Health Quality and Patient Safety; and Raed Khoury, John Muir Health Director of Patient Safety, each received the 2006 Passion Award for consistently going beyond their job expectations to support new innovative ideas, motivate and implement performance improvement strategies.
• Mary Draper, R.N., B.S.N., Quality Management Department, Concord Campus, was awarded the 2006 Nurse Champion award for exemplary team leadership and commitment on hospital multidisciplinary teams. Her efforts to educate, motivate, mentor and recognize fellow staff members have greatly contributed to improving patient care and outcome performance measures.

Congratulations to our all of our hospital teams. Thank you for your commitment and dedication to our patients and improving the health care we provide.

John Muir Health Recognized for Outstanding Stroke Care

2006 -- The John Muir Medical Centers in Concord and Walnut Creek are two of only 62 hospitals in the United States to have been recognized by the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association's "Get With the Guidelines" (GWTG)(SM) program for their achievement in stroke patient care. The program is a quality-improvement program to ensure that patients consistently receive cardiac and stroke care in accordance with the most up-to-date guidelines and recommendations.

As Primary Stroke Centers certified by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations, a national surveyor of quality patient care, John Muir's two campuses have a tried and tested approach to assessing and treating patients who are having a stroke. Both campuses follow standards and guidelines that can significantly improve outcomes for stroke patients.

The two campuses are also the only Primary Stroke Centers in Contra Costa and Alameda Counties to be certified by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO).

John Muir Health Receives Leadership Award for Clinical Excellence

East Bay's top care provider recognized for outstanding care of cardiac patients

April 10, 2006 - John Muir Health, the East Bay's largest health care provider with hospitals in Concord and Walnut Creek, was awarded one of the top honors in health care, the VHA, Inc. Leadership Award for Clinical Excellence. John Muir Health was one of just three health care providers in California to be so recognized.

The award is given to hospitals that receive the highest scores in clinical core areas of care. These core measurements include such areas as heart failure and acute myocardial infarction - areas that are considered the best indicators of the spectrum of care available at a hospital. The VHA Leadership Award for clinical excellence in cardiac care is based on the latest set of measures that has been nationally accepted as indicators of quality.

VHA represents more than 2,400 non-profit health care providers across the country. Every year the organization conducts hospital reviews to ensure the highest quality of care.

This is the second award John Muir Health has received in 2006. In January, John Muir Health was ranked in the top 10 percent of Integrated Health Networks in the country by the market research firm Verispan.

John Muir Health Receives Top Awards from VHA, Inc.

2006 -- John Muir Health's medical centers in Walnut Creek and Concord and members of our hospital healthcare teams have been recognized with 12 awards for outstanding achievements in Clinical Excellence by VHA, Inc., a national health care alliance based in Irving, Texas. The VHA West Coast Clinical Awards recognize member organizations that have differentiated themselves by demonstrating extraordinary levels of performance in clinical excellence.

The awards honor multidisciplinary teams at both hospitals for their contributions to improving patient care and outcome performance. Through their exemplary teamwork in effecting system change, our collaborative teams have brought a higher level of care to our patients. The extraordinary teamwork and skill of our physicians and nurses, and technicians on both campuses have earned John Muir Health these prestigious awards. John Muir Health thanks them for for their dedication and passion for constantly seeking to improve patient care and outcomes.

John Muir Health Recognized for Outstanding Stroke Care

2006 -- The John Muir Medical Centers in Concord and Walnut Creek are two of only 62 hospitals in the United States to have been recognized by the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association's "Get With the Guidelines (GWTG)(SM) program for their achievement in stroke patient care. The program is a quality-improvement program to ensure that patients consistently receive cardiac and stroke care in accordance with the most up-to-date guidelines and recommendations.

As Primary Stroke Centers certified by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations, a national surveyor of quality patient care, John Muir's two campuses have a tried and tested approach to assessing and treating patients who are having a stroke. Both campuses follow standards and guidelines that can significantly improve outcomes for stroke patients.

The two campuses are also the only Primary Stroke Centers in Contra Costa and Alameda Counties to be certified by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO).

John Muir Physician Network Named One of Top Performing Physician Groups in California

Walnut Creek, 2006 -- - The John Muir Physician Network (JMPN) has been named one of California's top performing physician groups by the Integrated Healthcare Association (IHA). The IHA is a not-for-profit statewide collaborative leadership group of California health plans, physician groups, and health care systems, plus academic, consumer, purchaser, pharmaceutical and technology representatives that promotes quality improvement, accountability and affordability.

The recognition acknowledges the JMPN's high performance on important health care quality measures, including preventive care and chronic care management, patient satisfaction, and use of information technology to support patient management and care. This is the third year that the JMPN has received the recognition.

The JMPN is one of 228 physician groups that participate in IHA's Pay for Performance (P4P) program. The goal of the program is to enable physician groups to receive financial rewards from participating health plans based on quality measures for clinical care, patient experience and use of information technology. Only those groups that scored in the top 20 percent overall were selected for the honor; the JMPN is one of 11 physician groups in the Bay Area that is being recognized.

Participation in the P4P program distinguishes participating physician groups as those that deliver the highest level of care for their patients. In July, IHA announced across-the-board improvements by physician groups on P4P evidence-based clinical care measures, as well as increased use of information technology for activities such as prescribing, monitoring lab results, preventive and chronic care reminders, and electronic messaging.

Compared to 2004, participating physician groups across California reported that in 2005 they screened about 60,000 more women for cervical cancer, tested nearly 12,000 more individuals for diabetes, and administered approximately 30,000 more childhood immunizations. This means that across California, children are more likely to get the immunizations they need, adults are more likely to get screened for cancers and diabetes, and chronic conditions are more likely to be managed.

The John Muir Physician Network comprises nearly 800 primary care and specialty physicians who deliver coordinated patient care in practice locations from Brentwood to Orinda, and Martinez to San Ramon and Livermore. The JMPN offers health education and wellness programs, conducts medical research, and teams with the John Muir Medical Centers to respond effectively to today's managed care environment.

John Muir Health Receives Leadership Award for Clinical Excellence

East Bay's top care provider recognized for outstanding care of cardiac patients

April 10, 2006 - John Muir Health, the East Bay's largest health care provider with hospitals in Concord and Walnut Creek, was awarded one of the top honors in health care, the VHA, Inc. Leadership Award for Clinical Excellence. John Muir Health was one of just three health care providers in California to be so recognized.

The award is given to hospitals that receive the highest scores in clinical core areas of care. These core measurements include such areas as heart failure and acute myocardial infarction - areas that are considered the best indicators of the spectrum of care available at a hospital. The VHA Leadership Award for clinical excellence in cardiac care is based on the latest set of measures that has been nationally accepted as indicators of quality.

VHA represents more than 2,400 non-profit health care providers across the country. Every year the organization conducts hospital reviews to ensure the highest quality of care.

This is the second award John Muir Health has received in 2006. In January, John Muir Health was ranked in the top 10 percent of Integrated Health Networks in the country by the market research firm Verispan.

John Muir Health Moves Up in National Ratings of Top 100 Integrated Health Networks (IHNs)

2006 -- John Muir Health has climbed to No. 53 in the 2006 Verispan IHN 100, an annual listing that ranks more than 500 integrated health networks (IHN's) in how well they have integrated physicians, facilities and services. Last year, the John Muir/Mt. Diablo Health System was rated No. 68. The list is published by the healthcare marketing firm Verispan, L.L.C. Results were included in the March 6, 2006 edition of Modern Healthcare.

The 2006 list identifies the top 100 IHNs in the current universe of 566 non-specialty, local and regional networks in the United States that meet critical success factors. The rating is based on Verispan's IHN Rating SystemTM, which evaluates each network's ability to operate as a unified organization in each of eight categories: integration, integrated technology, contractual capabilities, outpatient utilization, financial stability, services and access, hospital utilization, and physicians.

According to Janiece S. Nolan, President/CEO of the John Muir Physician Network, "The rankings show that we continue to improve the integration of our network, through physician development, clinical integration, and technology innovations, while maintaining financial stability."

This year, John Muir Health rated third in California.

The report is available on the Modern Healthcare website, www.modernhealthcare.com. A complete list of the top100 IHNs and the regional top 20 IHNs can be found under the "Publications" section of www.verispan.com.

John Muir Medical Center, Walnut Creek Campus Named a Top Hospital by National Research Corporation

Walnut Creek, Calif., 2006 -- John Muir Medical Center, Walnut Creek Campus has been recognized as one of the nation's top hospitals, receiving a 2006/07 Consumer Choice Award from the National Research Corporation (NRC). This is the second year that the campus has been the sole recipient of the award in its market area, the Oakland metro region. The Consumer Choice Award identifies hospitals in more than 180 markets throughout the U.S that healthcare consumers have chosen as having the highest quality and image.

"We are particularly proud of this achievement, as it is generated directly by the communities we serve," said Jane Willemsen, Chief Administrative Officer and President at John Muir Medical Center, Walnut Creek Campus. "There are many ways to measure performance in the healthcare industry, but this one directly reflects the satisfaction of our patients, which is of paramount importance to us. As we continue to advance in the care we provide, we intend to build on that trust and high regard."

NRC Chief Executive Officer Michael D. Hays said winners are determined by consumer perceptions on multiple quality and image ratings collected in the company's annual NRC Healthcare Market Guide® study. Of the 3,000 hospitals named by consumers in the study, the winning facilities rank highest in their Metropolitan Statistical Areas (MSA's), as defined by the U.S. Census Bureau.

According to Hays, "Consumers play an increasing role in selecting their healthcare facilities and services. As more healthcare quality information is made publicly available, we expect this trend to increase. We are pleased to honor these facilities for their leadership in the delivery of quality healthcare."

John Muir Health is among the Bay Area's most advanced and comprehensive resources for medical care, with two medical centers and a behavioral health center. John Muir Medical Center, Walnut Creek Campus is a 321-bed acute care facility that is designated as the trauma center for Contra Costa County and part of Solano County. The health system offers a full range of medical services and is widely recognized as a regional leader in many specialties including cardiac care, neurosciences, orthopedics, oncology and high- and low-risk obstetrics.

Staff Awards

Nursing Leader Receives "Excellence in Leadership" Award

WALNUT CREEK, CA - Beverly Jones, R.N., M.P.S., C.N.A.A., Senior Vice President of Patient Care Services for John Muir Medical Center, Walnut Creek Campus, has been recognized by the Association of California Nurse Leaders (ACNL) with the 2006 Excellence in Leadership-North award.

Jones has been a member of the John Muir Health family for 18 years. Among her responsibilities, Jones currently oversees the coordination of services for more than 880 employees in the nursing department. She also is responsible for the expansion of services in many departments, including pediatrics, the Wound Care Program, and the Birth Center at John Muir Health. With 35 years of experience in healthcare, Jones has been a key administrative leader at John Muir Health since her arrival in 1998.

The ACNL is a professional nursing organization that develops nurse leaders, advances professional practice, influences health policy and promotes quality and patient safety. The group provides networking and mentoring opportunities for its members as well.

The award from ACNL recognizes nurse leaders for excellence in nursing leadership and advancement of clinical practice. Four excellence in leadership awards are presented annually; one to each of the four geographic regions. Jones was nominated by members of the ACNL for her "demonstrated significant support of the nursing profession."

"It is definitely an honor to be selected for this award," says Jones. "The ACNL is a well-respected organization within the nursing community and to be recognized is both a personal and professional achievement. While the award is in my name, the recognition really belongs to the nursing management team at John Muir. On their behalf, I am honored to accept this award."

"Jones is a true nurse leader", says Mary Lopez, R.N., M.S.N., and President of the ACNL. "Her talents and contributions are of tremendous value to the nursing profession and to her colleagues. The ACNL is proud to acknowledge Beverly with this award."

Jones will formally receive the award at the ACNL annual conference February 7, 2006 in Los Angeles. She will be honored alongside the other regional winners.

[back to top]

2005 Awards

John Muir Medical Center, Walnut Creek Campus Named Consumer Choice Award Winner

Medical Center Recognized as Top Hospital
for East Bay

WALNUT CREEK, CA - John Muir Medical Center, Walnut Creek Campus has been recognized as the top Consumer Choice Award winner for quality and image by the Oakland/East Bay community in a recent National Research Corporation (NRC) survey.

Each year NRC honors those hospitals whose consumers rate as having the best quality and image. In its tenth year, NRC surveyed more than 200,000 households across the country to determine the nation's top hospitals. John Muir Medical Center, Walnut Creek Campus, one of 206 award recipients, was selected by the East Bay community as having exceptional service and care.

Survey respondents were extensively polled on their opinions about local hospital/facilities and care. Among the questions asked: which local hospital has the best doctors, best nurses, latest technology and equipment, and best overall quality.

Having shared the distinction with Stanford Hospital and Clinics in 2003-2004, this year John Muir Medical Center, Walnut Creek Campus was the sole recipient for the Oakland/East Bay area.

"We are delighted that John Muir Medical Center, Walnut Creek Campus has been recognized with this prestigious award," says Kenneth Meehan, Chief Administrative Officer for John Muir Medical Center, Walnut Creek Campus. "Our employees, physicians and volunteers are dedicated to providing extraordinary care and this recognition reflects that."

"John Muir Medical Center, Walnut Creek Campus was selected for the Consumer Choice Award by the community of residents it serves," acknowledges Michael D. Hays, National Research Corporation Chief Executive Officer. "We are pleased to honor this facility for their leadership in the delivery of quality healthcare."

John Muir Medical Center, Walnut Creek Campus is a 321-bed acute care facility that is designated as the only trauma center for Contra Costa County and portions of Solano County. Recognized as one of the region's premier healthcare providers, areas of specialty include high and low-risk obstetrics, orthopedics, neurosciences, cardiac care and cancer care. John Muir Medical Center, Walnut Creek Campus is accredited by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations.

John Muir Medical Center, Walnut Creek Campus Named Winner of 2005 McKesson VIP Award

East Bay Health Care Provider Recognized for Outstanding Technological Achievement that Improves Patient Safety

(Walnut Creek, Calif.), July 20, 2005 - John Muir Medical Center, Walnut Creek Campus today announced that it has received the 2005 McKesson-sponsored VIP Award in medication management for its use of information technology (IT) to improve patient safety. The VIP Awards are presented annually to organizations that exhibit vision, innovation, and performance in the use of IT to improve patient safety, clinical outcomes, physician IT adoption, use of resources and financial performance.

John Muir Medical Center, Walnut Creek Campus, part of John Muir Health, embarked on a quest to improve patient care through the use of technology in 1994, and began barcoding medications at the bedside in 1996. In 2001, John Muir Health reiterated its commitment to patient safety by embarking on a $40 million patient safety initiative to use advanced technology to enhance medication safety and support clinical decision-making. Building on its long-standing culture of quality care, the hospital enhanced the technology and processes used to deliver medications to patients, making them as error-proof as possible. The results showed a significant decrease in situations that could have resulted in medication errors.

VIP Award applicants for medication management underwent a rigorous judging process by an independent panel of judges, including members from KLAS Enterprises and Modern Healthcare magazine. The award was based on ability to demonstrate improvements in patient and medication safety.

John Muir Medical Center, Walnut Creek Campus is a member of the fifth annual class of VIP Award winners, and one of six select healthcare organizations chosen by a panel of independent judges. Each VIP Award winner receives a $10,000 donation from McKesson to its foundation or charity of choice.

John Muir's use of McKesson's Horizon Clinicals ® solutions to enhance medication safety include bar-code scanning at the bedside when delivering medications, assisting in the administration of more than 75,000 doses per month at John Muir. The system, which consists of a handheld bar-code scanner integrated with the hospital's clinical information systems, has been enthusiastically adopted by virtually all John Muir nurses. The technology helps to improve safety by verifying that the right patient receives the right drug in the right dosage via the correct route and at the right time.

"McKesson is fortunate to work with some of the finest healthcare providers in the industry, and we believe that it's important to recognize those that have made a significant impact through the use of healthcare technology," said Jay Deady, vice president of marketing, McKesson Provider Technologies. "The distinctive achievements by John Muir should serve as a model to other John Muir Healths that healthcare IT can increase safety, labor productivity, physician/clinician IT adoption, revenue management, resource utilization/planning and other categories."

John Muir Medical Center, Walnut Creek Campus, part of John Muir Health, is a 321-bed acute care facility that is designated as the only trauma center for Contra Costa County and part of Solano County. Recognized as one of the region's premier healthcare providers, its areas of specialty include high- and low-risk obstetrics, orthopedics, neurosciences, cardiac care and cancer care.

McKesson Corporation, currently ranked 15 on the Fortune 500, is a healthcare services and information company dedicated to helping customers deliver high-quality healthcare by reducing costs, streamlining processes, and improving the quality and safety of patient care.

[back to top]

2004 Awards

John Muir Medical Center, Walnut Creek Campus Receives Emergency Department of the Year Award

John Muir Medical Center, Walnut Creek Campus's Emergency Department received the 2004 Emergency Department of the Year Award from California Emergency Physicians (CEP) Medical Group. As Contra Costa County's designated Level 2 Trauma Center, John Muir Health's Emergency Department provides emergency care to more than 45,000 patients a year, including 1,200 trauma victims from Contra Costa, Solano, and Marin Counties.

Out of 53 statewide Emergency Departments, John Muir Health's Emergency Department received the award based on its high patient satisfaction and operational excellence. "We are honored to receive the Emergency Department of the Year Award. This achievement is the result of our ongoing efforts to provide the highest quality emergency care to Bay Area residents and visitors," said Alice D. Hunter, MD, Medical Director of Emergency Services at John Muir Medical Center, Walnut Creek Campus. "I want to recognize the Administration and Medical Staff at John Muir for their important role in supporting the Emergency Department team in our efforts to continually raise the bar for emergency care."

John Muir's Emergency Department is considered a leader in terms of its pioneering patient satisfaction efforts, which earned it the CEP Patient Satisfaction of the Year Award in 2001. The Emergency Department has consistently ranked in the top three in its peer group for patient satisfaction-earning the No. 1 spot in 2003-on the CEP-wide patient satisfaction survey. "Providing the highest quality of care and patient satisfaction are top priorities for us at John Muir," said Ken Meehan . "Congratulations to our dedicated team of nurses, physicians and other support staff whose skill and compassion have earned this honor for the department.

Survey Rates John Muir Health in Top 100 Integrated Healthcare Networks for the Second Year in a Row

John Muir Health has been rated 36 of out of the nation's top 100 integrated healthcare networks (IHNs) in an annual listing recently published by Verispan, L.L.C. , a healthcare marketing firm. Last year, John Muir Health was rated 49th. This survey ranks over 500 integrated health systems in how well they have integrated their physicians, facilities and services. Only the top 100 make the list. Only six California health systems made the top 100.

According to the report, the top 100 health networks boast better profit margins, higher volumes and shorter lengths of stay than the 468 health systems that don't make the list. The survey ranks health systems on their clinical and financial performance, and measures the degree of integration in categories including clinical integration, access, contracting, hospital utilization, services and technology.

The results are also published in the February 2 issue of Modern Healthcare.

[back to top]

2003 Awards

National Research Corporation (NRC) Names John Muir Medical Center, Walnut Creek Campus a "Top Hospital"

National Research Corporation (NRC) has recognized John Muir Medical Center, Walnut Creek Campus as one of the nation's top hospitals in their 2003 Consumer Choice Awards. The winners are hospitals consumers choose as having the highest quality and image in more than 100 markets throughout the U. S. John Muir and Stanford Hospital and Clinics of Palo Alto were co-winners in the Oakland, CA consumer area.

Winners are determined by consumer perceptions on multiple quality and image ratings collected in the company's annual NRC Healthcare Market Guide® study. Of the 3,000 hospitals named by consumers in the study, the winning facilities rank highest in their Metropolitan Statistical Areas, as defined by the U.S. Census Bureau.

"Consumers play an increasing role in the selection of their healthcare facilities and services," says NRC President and CEO Michael Hays. "As more information is made publicly available to consumers, we expect this trend to increase. The winners deserve recognition for the emphasis they have placed on providing quality, patient-centered care."

Ken Meehan, CAO of John Muir Medical Center, Walnut Creek Campus, adds: "This award serves to confirm the 'special' nature of John Muir Medical Center. The caring, compassion and dedication to quality and excellence of our medical staff, employees and volunteers make us a top choice for medical care in the Bay Area. To be recognized with such a prestigious institution as Stanford Hospital is extremely gratifying."

Home Health Earns Highest Rating for Outcomes

John Muir Health's Home Health services received top ratings for positive case outcomes with fewer home health visits, according to Outcome Concepts Systems, Inc., a national independent rating service. For first quarter 2003, Home Health exceeded all other agencies in outcomes vs. resource use. Additionally, Home Health was rated overall "at or above quality benchmarks" as reported by the Center for Medicare Services.

Home Health offers a broad array of home care services 7 days a week, including skilled nursing; physical, occupational and and speech therapy; medical social work and home health aide/personal care for cardiac, respiratory, wound/ostomy, diabetes, pediatric and medical/surgical patients. Physician referral is required. Call the referral line at (925) 674-2560 for more information.

Survey Rates John Muir Health in Top 100 Integrated Healthcare Networks

John Muir Health has been rated among the nation's top 100 integrated healthcare networks (IHNs) in an annual listing recently published by Verispan, L.L.C., a healthcare marketing firm. John Muir Health is ranked 49th out of 100 top IHNs, for which 572 systems were reviewed. The survey ranks how well organizations have integrated their facilities and services.

Criteria for the listing cover hospital utilization, financial stability, physician participation in the John Muir Physician Network, service and access, outpatient utilization, contract capabilities and systemwide integration. Integrated financial systems, billing systems, and clinical information systems are also considered.

This is the first year that John Muir Health has been listed in the Top 100. The survey will be featured in Modern Healthcare and other publications.

John Muir Health Physicians on Bay Area Checkbook's "Top Docs" List

The latest edition of the Bay Area Consumer Checkbook publication includes an article on outstanding physician specialists, click here to view the article (284k pdf file). Based on a survey of 12,000 area physicians who were asked which ones, in 34 different fields, they "would consider most desirable for care of a loved one." John Muir Health physicians listed in the article included:

California Consumer Assessment Survey

California Consumer Assessment Survey ranked John Muir Physician Network in the 90th percentile among Northern California medical groups for overall ratings of care by HMO patients.

[back to top]

2002 Awards

John Muir Medical Center, Walnut Creek Campus Lab Receives National Recognition

John Muir Medical Center, Walnut Creek Campus MuirLab was recently awarded a 2002 VIP Award by McKesson Information Solutions. MuirLaboratory was one of five U.S. healthcare organizations honored by McKesson Information Solutions "for vision, innovation, and performance in the use of information technology to address critical business issues."

The award winners were selected by an independent judging panel of industry experts.

John Muir Medical Center, Walnut Creek Campus

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of Transportation bestowed the title of "certified commuter-friendly" on John Muir Medical Center, Walnut Creek Campus. John Muir offers commuter benefits that help employees as well as traffic congestion and air quality.

[back to top]

2001 Awards

John Muir Medical Center, Walnut Creek Campus

California Emergency Physicians Medical Group (CEP) Emergency Department Patient Satisfaction Award
(This award is presented to the Emergency Department that consistently provides an exceptional patient experience.)

John Muir Medical Center, Walnut Creek Campus

JCAHO Accreditation
National Research Corporation #1 Consumer Choice
Oakland/East Bay's Most Preferred Hospitals
Overall Quality and Image

John Muir Medical Center, Concord Campus

JCAHO Accreditation

John Muir Behavioral Health Center

JCAHO Accreditation

[back to top]

2000 Awards

John Muir Medical Center, Concord Campus

Voluntary Hospital Association (VHA)
Operational Performance and Service Award - Emergency Department

John Muir Medical Center, Concord Campus

State of California Maternal and Child Health Services
Diabetes and Pregnancy Sweet Success Special Achievement Award - Center for Diabetes

John Muir Medical Center, Walnut Creek Campus

National Research Corporation #1 Consumer Choice
Oakland/East Bay's Most Preferred Hospital
Overall Quality and Image


Interventional Cardiology and Cardiac Surgery

John Muir Medical Center, Walnut Creek Campus

National Research Corporation #1 Consumer Choice
Oakland/East Bay's Most Preferred Hospital
Heart Care Services

[back to top]