Four of San Diego's Scripps Hospitals have been rated in the top five percent in the country for clinical excellence. The latest report from the independent ratings firm HealthGrades gives 269 hospitals that distinction nationwide.
The HealthGrades report is based on a three-year study of mortality and complication rates at all 5,000 non-federal hospitals.
The top rated hospitals had an average mortality rate that was 29 percent lower than the typical hospital. Top facilities had complication rates that were nine percent lower than other hospitals.
Mikele Bunce is vice president of quality at Scripps Health.
"What's primary importance is to have a safe environment," Bunce points out. "Then you want the best clinical processes to lead to the best clinical outcomes. But we still wouldn't call that quality patient care, unless the patient was satisfied."
Scripps Hospitals were among 21 in California that received the top rating.
