August 14, 2009

Mercy Hospital Cadillac and Parent Trinity Health Among Nation's Top Hospital Systems
Trinity Health Ranks in Top 10 of Nation's Finest According to Thomson Reuters

Trinity Health, a national health system of 45 nonprofit hospitals including Mercy Hospital Cadillac, was named one of the best performing hospital systems for the delivery of safe, high quality services.

The analysis from Thomson Reuters looked at 252 U.S. health systems and found the best performing 20 percent had 25 percent fewer deaths, 19 percent fewer complications, and 13 percent few patient mishaps than the worst performers, even though their patients were sicker.

"Trinity Health is among the top quality performers in the nation because of the magnificent commitment of the physicians, nurses, associates of Mercy Hospital Cadillac and all of our member hospitals to making continuous improvements in quality and safety," said Joseph Swedish, President and CEO of Trinity Health.

Trinity Health provides high tech resources and the latest clinical advances and health information technology to ensure patients receive the most timely, efficient and safest care possible. Trained specialists study workflows and care processes for the betterment of the patient experience. Evidence-based clinical data helps clinicians make the most informed decisions, when and where they need it.

As a member of Trinity Health, Mercy Hospital Cadillac leverages the collective clinical knowledge and best care practices of 45 hospitals across the country to improve the quality, safety and satisfaction of patient's throughout the course of their care.

As a national leader in the implementation of health information technology, Trinity Health is developing an interconnected network of electronic health records, adverse drug alert systems and other clinical support tools to infuse all of its member hospitals with better care processes and evidence-based medicine. Mercy Hospital Cadillac implemented electronic health records in 2003.

Trinity Health's advances in health information technology makes it "reform ready" if and when changes in the U.S. health system are made to drive higher value.

"Our groundbreaking role has positioned us well for elements of health reform that relate to health IT and comparative effectiveness research," said Terry O'Rourke, Chief Clinical Officer, Trinity Health. "As the government and private payers move toward payment that rewards outcomes and care coordination rather than volume, Trinity Health can leverage a full array of EHR and clinical support tools to align with physicians and create better, more efficient systems of care."

Thomson Reuters used data on 12 million Medicare patients using five measures: mortality, medical complications, patient safety, average length of stay, and whether hospitals followed standards of care published by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.

About Trinity Health
Trinity Health is the fourth-largest Catholic health care system in the country. Based in Novi, Mich., Trinity Health operates 45 acute-care hospitals, 379 outpatient facilities, 26 long-term care facilities, and numerous home health offices and hospice programs in seven states. Employing 46,000 full-time staff, Trinity Health reported $6.4 billion in unrestricted revenue and $376 million in community benefits in fiscal year 2008. For more information about Trinity Health, visit www.trinity-health.org.

Contact:  Shannon Smith
Mercy Hospital Cadillac
Community Relations
(231) 876-7326
smithsle@trinity-health.org