As a retired health care executive well-respected in many hospitals, David felt out of his comfort zone in his new role as a patient.
But he and his wife, Phi, did their homework, and were aware that accolades translate to safer care and better outcomes, serving as a bellwether of a program’s overall quality of care. That’s why they were comforted knowing that David was being taken care of at Oregon’s highest-rated heart program.*
Twice a day, the entire cardiac team at Kaiser Permanente Sunnyside Medical Center checks on cardiac patients. That means surgeons, anesthesiologists, hospitalists, nurse practitioners, registered nurses, respiratory therapists, pharmacists, physical therapists, care managers, dieticians, social workers, and anyone else involved with the patient’s care come together to make sure the patient receives high-quality care.
The cardiac team at Sunnyside Medical Center was awarded the highest rating (three out of three stars) for mitral valve repair and replacement (known as MVRR) by the Society of Thoracic Surgeons. Sunnyside Medical Center is the only rated participating hospital in the Northwest to receive the highest rating for this procedure and for isolated CABG (coronary artery bypass grafting) and isolated AVR (aortic valve replacement).
Accolades such as these affirm the high-quality care offered at Kaiser Permanente. The most gratifying reward, however, is when doctors and nurses witness the results of their work. Since surgery, David has been able to get back to doing what he loves most — tending to his garden with his wife, Phi.
*The Society of Thoracic Surgeons ratings can be found at publicreporting.sts.org.
