I am extremely proud to announce that Mendocino Coast District Hospital has been awarded a 5-Star rating by HealthGrades, the leading independent healthcare ratings organization, for 2 of our Hospital services for 2010-2011. The 2 services are Total Hip Replacement Surgery and Pneumonia Care. Hospitals earn this prestigious designation by performing in the top 10 percentile of all hospitals Nationally for a low incidence of mortality and complications. Hospitals do not apply for a favorable rating. HealthGrades objectively analyzes the clinical outcomes data for all 5,000 hospitals in the United States. Hospitals are then awarded a 5-Star, 3-Star or 1-Star rating, depending upon how they compare to other hospitals across the Country for favorable clinical outcomes. HealthGrades has been studying hospitals for 13 years. For the past 3 years, it has awarded Mendocino Coast District Hospital a 5-Star rating for total hip replacement surgery. And it is particularly gratifying to note that Coast Hospital is the only 5-Star rated total hip replacement hospital in the 3 counties of Mendocino, Lake and Humboldt. This is the first time that we have been awarded a 5-Star rating for Pneumonia Care. This accomplishment is due entirely to the clinical staff at MCDH and their adherence to stringent infection control standards. Beginning with our doctors, such as orthopedic surgerons Bill Rohr and Jack Bellah and including our surgical teams, nursing staff and our support staff. For more information on HealthGrades, I encourage you to visit them on the web at www.healthgrades.com
