Breast Imaging Center of Excellence
The Breast Center at St. Mary's Medical Center has been designated as a Breast Imaging Center of Excellence by the American College of Radiology (ACR). This prestigious designation means the Breast Center at St. Mary's has earned accreditation in mammography, stereotactic breast biopsy and breast ultrasound (including ultrasound-guided breast biopsy).
The Center of Excellence designation was awarded after St. Mary's undertook an extensive evaluation process, which included a thorough peer-review by board-certified physicians and medical physicists who are experts in the field. The evaluation determined that St. Mary's has achieved high practice standards in image quality, personnel qualifications, facility equipment, quality control procedures and quality assurance programs.
Premiere Award for Quality
St. Mary’s Medical Center was recognized by the Premier Inc., Health Care Alliance as a winner of the Premier Award for Quality in all clinical areas measured. Participating hospitals report quality data to Premier Inc., which then submits it to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) for five high-volume inpatient conditions. These are:
- Heart attack (AMI)
- Heart failure
- Pneumonia
- Hip and knee replacement.
Accreditation Awarded by the American College of Radiology
St. Mary’s Medical Center earned a three-year accreditation in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the head, spine and musculoskeletal system, and magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) by the American College of Radiology (ACR).
The ACR awards accreditation to facilities for adhering to high quality standards. To receive accreditation, a facility must undergo a peer review evaluation conducted by board-certified physicians.
St. Mary’s Medical Center Ranked Among Top 30 in Nation by Joint Commission
The Joint Commission scored St. Mary’s Medical Center in the top 30 hospitals across Missouri and the nation in terms of quality and safety.
Each quarter the Joint Commission assesses risk at accredited hospitals using a tool called the Strategic Surveillance (S3). S3 scores are determined for each hospital by reviewing core measures, past citations, MSDRGs, complication and mortality rates and patient satisfaction scores. The lower the S3 score, the better a hospital’s performance. For fourth quarter 2009, St. Mary’s cumulative S3 score was 93, placing them in the top 30.
Magnet Designation
St. Mary’s Medical Center is the only hospital in eastern Jackson County earning Magnet Designation from the American Nurses Credentialing Center for excellence in nursing care. It is one of the highest achievements a hospital can obtain in professional nursing.
Research has shown there are clear benefits to patients in Magnet hospitals. They have fewer complications, shorter hospital stays, higher patient safety and higher patient and employee satisfaction scores.