Sutter Health Named Among Nation's Top Integrated Health Care Networks

March 17, 2003 - Through a focus on working together to improve outcomes for patients, the hospitals and physician organizations within the not-for-profit Sutter Health network have achieved significant improvements in operations, cost-control and integration, according to a study published by Modern Healthcare. The study ranked Sutter Health 12th among the nation's "top integrated health care networks." In 2002, Sutter ranked 73rd.

The Sutter network, which includes 26 community-based hospitals, five physician organizations as well as research centers and home health care services, achieved this top ranking through solid performance in several categories, according to Verispan, the Chicago-based independent research firm that has graded health care networks over the past six years. Verispan rated 472 regional systems in categories designed to measure success, including financial stability, integration, technology and hospital utilization.

"As our network becomes increasingly integrated, we're making even greater strides in improving clinical outcomes for patients and in continuing our march at the forefront of issues such as medical safety," said Sutter Health President and Chief Executive Officer Van R. Johnson. "We're doing what's right to preserve health care services for our communities and we’re doing it together."

Sutter Health is one of the nation's leading not-for-profit networks of community-based health care providers, delivering high-quality care in more than 100 Northern California communities. It is also the regional leader in infant deliveries, neonatology, orthopedics and pediatrics services. Sutter Health supports more than two dozen locally run acute care hospitals as well as physician organizations; medical research facilities; regionwide home health, hospice and occupational health networks; and long-term care centers.

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Contact
Karen Garner
916-286-8297
Garnerk@sutterhealth.org