Portland, Maine (June 20, 2011) – Mercy Hospital has been recognized by the Maine State Employee Health Commission as the only Tier 1 hospital in Greater Portland, making them the preferred provider for state workers. According to independent data, Mercy Hospital offers the highest quality of care in Greater Portland.Mercy Health System CEO, Eileen Skinner and Vice President of Medical Administration, Scott Rusk, M.D have accepted a plaque from the State Employee Health Commission as part of the recognition.
This recognition establishes Mercy as a preferred provider for 40,000 state workers and their dependents, as well as highlighting their sustained performance as a preferred provider over the past five years.
“The Commission believes strongly that Mercy should be recognized for their sustained performance. Never having slipped from the preferred hospital list in five years is a significant accomplishment,” said Frank Johnson, Executive Director of the Maine State Employee Health Commission.
With this designation, state workers receive financial incentives through the State Health Commission when they use Mercy Hospital. Frank Johnson, Executive Director of the State Employee Health Commission says that the tiered rating system will be changed this summer to help contain state health care costs.
“While quality and safety are key components of health care value, like many other purchasers the Commission is confronted with increased pressures to contain costs,” said Johnson. “We are awaiting final approval of a budget that calls for flat funding of the State employee health plan for the next two years. With that in mind, we have announced that effective August 1st the Commission’s tiered hospital methodology will include comparative costs. We are confident that Mercy and other Maine hospitals will be able to demonstrate effective, safe and efficient care.”
“At Mercy we believe that every individual deserves access to healing,” said Vice President of Medical Administration, Scott Rusk, M.D. “Our patients today find that blend of care and commitment to values as part of the story of Mercy. By focusing on patient outcomes throughout the continuum of care, we are honored to be recognized as the area’s leader in quality, safety, innovation and patient experience.”
The State Employee Health Commission established its tiered rating system for acute care hospitals and primary care facilities in 2006 based on publicly reported data on hospitals and health care providers from the Maine Health Management Coalition website (www.getbettermaine.org).” This group uses data from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, as well as the LeapFrog Group, which is an independent not-for-profit organization that collects, analyzes, and publicly reports information on the progress of hospitals to meet evidence-based quality and safety standards, and other independent research organizations.
About Mercy Health System of Maine
Mercy Health System of Maine includes Mercy Hospital, Gary’s House, McAuley Residence, Mercy Recovery Center, and VNA Home Health & Hospice. Together, our campuses throughout southern Maine offer a broad range of medical and surgical services, as well as primary and specialty care to provide a continuum of care for our patients. For more information on Mercy, please call (207) 879-3486.
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