The Bronson organization has garnered an impressive collection of awards and honors for the quality of patient care, the quality of its workforce and for facility design. Here are some recent achievements presented in chronological order starting with the most recent:
Quality & Service
Distinguished Hospital for Clinical Excellence™ from HealthGrades (2009-2012)
This recognition from HealthGrades, the leading healthcare ratings company, places Bronson Methodist Hospital in the company of just 263 hospitals performing in the top five percent in the nation for overall clinical quality. The 2012 study indicates patients who receive care at a top performing hospital like Bronson have a 30.07 percent lower risk of dying while hospitalized, and 1.86 percent lower risk of having in-hospital complications. If all hospitals in the U.S. performed to this standard, 165,704 Medicare lives could potentially have been saved and 6,800 Medicare in-hospital complications could potentially have been avoided.
HealthGrades Emergency Medicine Excellence Award™ (2010, 2011, 2012)
This study names Bronson Methodist Hospital among the nation’s best for emergency medical care. Of 4,783 hospitals reviewed, 263 were ranked in the nation’s top 5%; Bronson is the only one in southwest Michigan. HealthGrades’ analysis of outcomes for 2008-10 found survival rates are more than 40% higher for Medicare patients admitted through the Emergency Department at a top performing hospital like Bronson.
HealthGrades' Outstanding Patient Experience Award™ (2009, 2010, 2011, 2012)
In addition to clinical quality performance, surveys show that patients prefer a hospital that is highly rated by its patients. HealthGrades analyzed patient satisfaction data for 3,711 hospitals in the country using Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (HCAHPS) survey data from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and compiled the information into a list of the nation's top performers. This award recognizes Bronson Methodist Hospital as being in the top 15% of hospitals in the nation for patient satisfaction.
Consumer Choice Award (2003-2011)
Bronson Methodist Hospital is named by consumers in the National Research Corporation (NRC) survey as the best hospital in the Kalamazoo area. The selection is based on best overall quality, best image/reputation, best doctors and best nurses.
HealthGrades Patient Safety Excellence Award™ (2010, 2011)
This study recognizes Bronson Methodist Hospital for achieving patient safety ratings in the top five percent of U.S. hospitals. Patients these hospitals were 46.26 percent less likely to experience a patient safety event during the time period studied. If all hospitals performed at this level, approximately 174,358 patient safety events and 20,688 Medicare deaths could have been avoided.
Michigan Rural Health Quality Improvement Achievement Award (2009, 2010, 2011)
Michigan Center for Rural Health recognized Bronson LakeView Hospital for successfully adopting evidence-based processes to improve the quality and safety of care provided by the hospital.
Quality Ratings from HealthGrades (2003-2011)
HealthGrades ranks Bronson Methodist Hospital among the top ten percent of hospitals in the nation for stroke treatment; orthopedic surgery such as total knee and hip replacement; gastrointestinal care; and pulmonary care including treatment of pneumonia. According to the 2011 study, Bronson achieved five-star ratings for: Treatment of Heart Failure and Heart Attack, Treatment of Stroke, Total Knee Replacement Surgery, Total Hip Replacement Surgery, Treatment of Sepsis (infection of the blood), Treatment of Pneumonia, Treatment of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, Gastrointestinal Surgical Procedures, Treatment of Gastrointestinal Bleed, and Treatment of Bowel Obstruction.
Thomson Reuters 100 Top Hospitals® (2006, 2010, 2011)
This national award for performance excellence recognizes 100 hospitals in the U.S. who are top performers based on: mortality, medical complications, patient safety, average length of stay, expenses, profitability, patient satisfaction, adherence to clinical standards of care, and post-discharge mortality and readmission rates for acute myocardial infarction, heart failure, and pneumonia. Bronson, the only recipient in southwest Michigan, is honored in the teaching hospital category.
Blue Distinction Center for Spine SurgerySM and Blue Distinction Center for Knee and Hip ReplacementSM (2010)
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan and Blue Care Network have designated Bronson Methodist Hospital as a Blue Distinction Center for Spine Surgery and a Blue Distinction Center for Knee and Hip Replacement. The Blue Distinction program helps consumers select healthcare facilities that provide high quality performance and better care for patients on a consistent basis. Bronson’s Spine Surgery and Knee and Hip Replacement services both demonstrate top quality with a full range of accredited services, experienced surgeons, excellent management programs, streamlined care, shared decision-making with patients and patient education before surgery.
Gold Performance Award for Cardiac Care (2010)
The American College of Cardiology Foundation recognized Bronson Methodist Hospital as one of only 135 hospitals in the nation to receive the NCDR® ACTION Registry®-GWTG™Gold Performance Achievement Award for implementing a higher standard of care for heart attack patients. The treatment guidelines are established by the American College of Cardiology and the American Heart Association.
Gold Performance Award for Heart Failure (2010)
Bronson Methodist Hospital received the Get With The Guidelines® Heart Failure Gold Performance Award for treating heart failure patients in compliance with the core standard levels of care issued by the American College of Cardiology and the American Heart Association.
Organ Donation Medal of Honor (2005-2010)
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services awarded Bronson an Organ Donation Medal of Honor for achieving organ donation rates of 75 percent or higher in a 12-month period.
Top Performer on Key Quality Measures (2010)
Bronson LakeView Hospital was named one of the nation’s top performers on key quality measures by The Joint Commission, the leading accreditor of healthcare organizations in America. Bronson LakeView was recognized for using evidence-based clinical processes that are shown to improve treatment of pneumonia.
AHA-McKesson Quest for Quality Prize (2009)
This top national honor is awarded annually to only one U.S. hospital in recognition of its leadership and innovation in quality, safety and commitment to patient care. The award recognizes organizations that have systematically committed to achieving the Institute of Medicine’s six quality aims — safe, timely, efficient, effective, equitable and patient & family centered care.
Silver Performance Award for Stroke Care (2009)
The American Heart Association and American Stroke Association recognized Bronson Methodist Hospital as the only hospital in southwest Michigan to receive the Get With The Guidelines Silver Performance Award for consistently following treatment guidelines to improve quality of care for stroke patients.
Governor's Award of Excellence for Improving Care in the Hospital Setting (2004-2008)
Presented by MPRO, Michigan's Quality Improvement Organization, these awards recognize Bronson Methodist Hospital for its success in such areas as Appropriate Care Measure, Surgical Care Improvement Project, and Bar Code Enabled Point-of-Care Level I.
Governor's Award of Excellence for Improving Patient Safety and Quality of Care in a Critical Access Hospital Setting (2008)
Presented by MPRO, Michigan's Quality Improvement Organization, these awards recognize Bronson LakeView Hospital for its success in such areas as Medication Safety and AMI Transfer.
Thomson Reuters 100 Top Hospital® for Heart Care (2008)
Thomson Reuters names Bronson Methodist Hospital as one of the nation's 100 Top Hospitals® for cardiovascular care. The 2008 Thomson Reuters 100 Top Hospitals®: Cardiovascular Benchmarks for Success study identifies 100 hospitals in the United States that set the highest national performance levels for both clinical and managerial excellence in heart care. Bronson is the only recipient in southwest Michigan in 2008.
VHA Leadership Award for Clinical Excellence (2007, 2008)
VHA Inc., a national health care provider alliance recognizes Bronson Methodist Hospital with Leadership Awards for Clinical Excellence based on performance at the 90 percent or above level on clinical core measures in surgical complications and infection prevention and for being case-free for ventilator-associated pneumonia for more than twelve months.
Governor's Award of Excellence for Improving Preventive Care in the Ambulatory Care Setting (2005, 2006, 2007)
Bronson primary care practices received this award, presented by MPRO, Michigan's Quality Improvement Organization. The practices honored most recently were Bronson Family Medicine Downtown, Bronson Family Practice Oshtemo, Bronson Family Medicine Portage, Bronson Internal Medicine Downtown, Bronson Internal Medicine Oshtemo, Bronson Internal Medicine Associates, and Bronson Outpatient Center Paw Paw.
Professional Research Consultants 4- and 5-star designations (2005-2007)
Bronson honored with a number of 4- and 5-star designations by Professional Research Consultants (PRC), for high physician satisfaction. A 4-star designation is given for scores between the 75th and 89.9th percentile, and a 5-star designation is given for scores at or above 90 percent. Physician loyalty, as measured by the likelihood to recommend Bronson for care to a friend or relative, is at the 93rd percentile in the PRC database.
Thomson Reuters 100 Top Hospitals® Performance Improvement Leaders award (2007)
This award from Thomson Reuters (formerly Solucient) recognizes hospitals whose boards, management teams and medical staff leadership have achieved the fastest five-year rate of consistent organization-wide improvement in the industry. To select the top 100, the study analyzed 2,687 acute care hospitals nationwide using detailed empirical performance data from years 2002 through 2006, including publicly available Medicare MedPAR data, Medicare cost reports, and Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) outpatient data.
American Hospital Association-McKesson Quest for Quality Citation of Merit (2006)
This national award honors hospital leadership and innovation in quality, safety and commitment to patient care. Bronson one of only three U.S. hospitals recognized in 2006. To receive the award an organization must demonstrate its commitment to achieving the Institute of Medicine's (IOM) six quality aims - safety, patient-centeredness, effectiveness, efficiency, timeliness and equity.
Bronson OB/GYN Associates named a "Better-Performing Practice" by Medical Group Management Association (MGMA) (2005)
The survey recognizes Bronson OB/GYN Associates in the areas of productivity, capacity and staffing. Of the 1700+ practices eligible for this award, just 340 were named as better performers.
Keystone ICU Project (2005)
Bronson's intensive care units recognized for their patient safety efforts as part of the national Keystone ICU Project. The project, developed by Johns Hopkins University, the Michigan Hospital Association, and the Keystone Center for Patient Safety & Quality, helps hospitals develop and implement comprehensive unit-based safety programs that provide creative methods of quickly and efficiently implementing best practice strategies to provide safe and high quality care.
Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award (2005)
Bronson Methodist Hospital was one of just six organizations nationwide to receive this award, the nation's highest Presidential honor for quality and organizational performance excellence. The award promotes excellence in organizational performance, recognizes the quality and performance achievements of U.S. organizations, and publicizes successful performance strategies. Since 1988, 72 organizations have received Baldrige Awards (eight in the healthcare sector).
Michigan Quality Leadership Award (2001, 2005)
Presented by the Michigan Quality Council, this award is the state's highest honor for outstanding quality and customer service. Bronson is the only organization to have ever been presented with this award twice.
John A. Hartford Foundation Institute for Geriatric Nursing/NICHE award (2004)
Bronson Methodist Hospital awarded the John A. Hartford Foundation Institute for Geriatric Nursing/NICHE award for its training in the care of hospitalized older patients. The award is given annually to the U.S. hospital that embodies best practice in nursing care for older adults and serves as a model of geriatric care to other hospitals. It is jointly awarded by the American Organization of Nurse Executives (AONE) and the Hartford Institute.
Michigan Childhood Immunization Registry Private Provider Site of Excellence Award (2004)
Bronson Rambling Road Pediatrics in Portage received the Michigan Childhood Immunization Registry Private Provider Site of Excellence Award for 2004, recognizing the practice that exceeds reporting requirements and utilization of the MCIR as a tool to increase the vaccine coverage level in the community.
Arbor Associates Award for Highest Overall Patient Satisfaction (2000-2003)
Bronson Methodist Hospital won the Arbor Associates Award for Highest Overall Patient Satisfaction in a four-state area for three straight years. Bronson is the benchmark for satisfaction compared with more than 40 large hospitals in the Arbor database. In addition, Bronson won Arbor's top award for exceeding patient expectations.
AARP Modern Maturity Award (2001)
Bronson named to Modern Maturity's 2001 list of top 15 U.S. "Hospitals with Heart." Bronson was listed in the July/August 2001 issue of the publication as one of the institutions in the nation most respected by its peers for patient-focused care.
Accreditation/Rankings
Level I Trauma Center (1989 – 2011)
The American College of Surgeons (ACS) verifies Bronson Methodist Hospital as a Level I Trauma Center. This indicates that the ACS recognizes Bronson as providing the highest level of care for critically injured patients. First verified by the ACS as a Level I Trauma Center in 1989, Bronson has successfully met the increasingly difficult re-verification standards every three years since.
Primary Stroke Center Certification (2005-2013)
Bronson Methodist Hospital earned Primary Stroke Center Certification from The Joint Commission. This certification verifies that Bronson's stroke care program follows national standards and guidelines determined to significantly improve outcomes for stroke patients. In 2011, Bronson also earned the Gold Seal of Approval™ from The Joint Commission, which is valid through November 2013.
Cardiac Specialty Center (2004-2010)
Bronson Methodist Hospital is designated a UnitedHealth PremiumSM cardiac specialty center, reflecting national recognition of its cardiac care services. Select hospitals in the UnitedHealth nationwide network are invited to apply for designation and are selected as leaders in providing cardiac care. To receive this designation, Bronson met extensive evidence- and consensus-based quality and efficiency criteria, including breadth of care, depth of care, staff experience, emergency care, and quality and data management. In 2004, Bronson was the first hospital in Michigan to be designated a UnitedHealth Premium cardiac specialty center.
Chest Pain Center Cycle III Accreditation (2010-2014)
In 2005, Bronson became the first accredited Chest Pain Emergency Center (CPEC) in southwest Michigan. In 2008, it received Cycle II accreditation from the Society of Chest Pain Centers followed by full Cycle III accreditation with PCI in 2010 – the highest level of accreditation.
Echocardiography Lab Accreditation (2010-2013)
The Intersocietal Commission accredited the Bronson Echocardiography Lab for the Accreditation of Echocardiography Laboratories. This accreditation recognizes the lab’s commitment to high quality patient care and the provision of quality diagnostic testing. In 1998, Bronson Methodist Hospital became the first hospital in Michigan to receive Pediatric Echo Accreditation. Today, Bronson is one of only seven hospitals in the state, and the only one in southwest Michigan, to be granted both Adult and Pediatric Echo Accreditation.
The Leapfrog Group’s Hospital Quality and Safety Ranking (2004-2010)
Bronson has been recognized by Leapfrog for implementing practices and policies that keep the hospital environment safe for patients. Bronson scored 96 percent in 2010. (leapfroggroup.org)
Phase II Outpatient Cardiac Rehabilitation Program Certification (2001-2010)
Bronson’s Phase II Outpatient Cardiac Rehabilitation program is certified by the American Association of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation. This certification is restricted to rehabilitation programs that demonstrate excellent service and care to cardiac patients and their families.
Magnet Hospital for Nursing Excellence (2009)
This four-year designation is awarded by the American Nurses Credentialing Center, a subsidiary of the American Nurses Association. Considered the gold standard in nursing care, only five percent of the nation’s hospitals have achieved Magnet status.
Stroke Center of Excellence (2007-2009)
Bronson Methodist Hospital is one of only 68 hospitals in the nation designated as a Stroke Center of Excellence by NeuStrategy, a Chicago-based think tank. Bronson was recognized for the quality of its clinical programs, medical staff, and education and outreach for stroke care.
Breast Imaging Center of Excellence (2008)
Bronson Center for Women named a Breast Imaging Center of Excellence by the American College of Radiology (ACR) in recognition of providing comprehensive breast imaging and diagnostic services exceeding required standards. Bronson Center for Women is one of only 187 breast imaging centers in the United States earning Breast Imaging Center of Excellence, and one of three in the state. There are 309 accredited mammography sites in Michigan.
The Joint Commission's Gold Seal of Approval™ (2008)
Bronson Methodist Hospital, the Bronson Medical Practices, and Bronson Home Health Care recognized by The Joint Commission with its Gold Seal of Approval™. These three entities demonstrated compliance with national standards for healthcare quality and safety and performed better than their national counterparts.
Cardiovascular Mark of Excellence Award (2007)
Bronson Methodist Hospital awarded the 2007 Mark of Excellence Award from Byrne Healthcare. The award recognizes Bronson as one of the few hospitals in the U.S. that has successfully sustained cardiovascular disease awareness in the public through ongoing communication about HeartAware – a cardiovascular patient referral program offered throughout the U.S. and available at bronsonhealth.com through an online heart risk assessment.
The Joint Commission Accreditation (2007)
Bronson Methodist Hospital and Bronson Vicksburg Hospital achieved re-accreditation from The Joint Commission as a result of their demonstrated compliance with the Joint Commission's nationally recognized healthcare standards. This survey is conducted every 3 years.
National Rankings for Orthopedics (1999-2004)
HCIA, Inc. and The Health Network named Bronson Methodist Hospital an award winner in their 1999 100 Top Hospitals Orthopedic Benchmarks for Success study, identifying hospitals that provide the greatest value in delivering orthopedic care. Bronson was one of just 20 hospitals from a field of 2,200 in the US to be recognized as a top orthopedic specialty hospital for knee replacement surgery.
Quality Comparison by the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (2003)
Bronson Home Health Care (BHHC) was the highest ranked home health agency in Michigan, according to 2003 quality comparison by the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services. The figures compare 214 Medicare-certified home health agencies in the state. BHHC ranked above the national average in ten out of eleven categories measured.
Environment
Environmental Leadership Circle Award from Practice Greenhealth (2003-2012)
Bronson Methodist Hospital received this top national honor from Practice Greenhealth (formerly Hospitals for a Healthy Environment). The Environmental Leadership Circle recognizes healthcare facilities that exemplify environmental excellence and are setting the highest standards for environmental practices in health care. To be considered, facilities must meet the criteria for eliminating mercury, recycle at least 25 percent of their total waste stream, have implemented numerous other innovative pollution prevention programs, and are leaders in their community.
ENERGY STAR Label (2006-2010)
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) uses an energy performance rating system to recognize hospitals that consume the least amount of energy. The top 25 percent of high performing hospitals in the nation receive the ENERGY STAR label.
The Green Guide's Top 10 Green Hospitals in America (2006)
The Green Guide identified Bronson Methodist Hospital from a field of nearly 1,300 hospitals that are pursuing environmental certifications and awards. The Green Guide checked hospital performance on criteria including energy and air pollution, indoor environmental quality, healthy hospital food, green cleaning, waste reduction and healing gardens.
Workplace
Working Mother's "100 Best Companies for Working Mothers" (2003-2008, 2010, 2011)
Bronson Healthcare Group is among 100 U.S. companies recognized by Working Mother magazine for family-friendly benefits that are helping redefine workplace standards across the country. Bronson was measured and scored in seven areas: workforce profile, benefits, women's issues and advancement, child care, flexible work, parental leave and company culture.
West Michigan's 101 Best and Brightest Companies to Work For (2005, 2009)
Bronson Healthcare Group named by the Michigan Business and Professional Association (MBPA) to its list of "West Michigan's 101 Best and Brightest Companies to Work For."
FORTUNE magazine's "100 Best Companies to Work For" (2004-2006)
Bronson Healthcare Group named to FORTUNE magazine's lists of the "100 Best Companies to Work For," the nation's most prestigious workplace honor. Two-thirds of the scoring is based on employee responses to surveys conducted by the publication; also considered is compensation and benefits, human resources practices, training opportunities and flexibility.
VHA Leadership Award for Operational Excellence (2005)
VHA Inc., a national health care provider alliance recognized Bronson Healthcare Group with its 2005 Leadership Award for operational excellence.
MBPA's "Best of the Best" Award (2003)
Bronson Healthcare Group named by the Michigan Business and Professional Association (MBPA) as the top winner ("Best of the Best") in its list of "West Michigan's 101 Best and Brightest Companies to Work For" for 2003. The geographic area includes 27,000 businesses.
Information Technology
Top 25 Connected Healthcare Facilities (2008)
Health Imaging & IT magazine recognizes Bronson Methodist Hospital for best practices in imaging and information technology (IT).
HDI Support Center Certification (2004)
In 2004, Bronson was recognized by HDI, the world's largest membership association for IT service and support professionals, as one of just 25 HDI-certified companies worldwide (and the only healthcare organization) to provide its employees with world-class support.
McKesson VIP Award (2002)
Bronson Healthcare Group one of five organizations nationally to be selected to receive the 2002 McKesson VIP Award. This award recognizes vision and innovation in the use of information technology to maximize performance.
Facility Design
Project Team Vista Award (2003)
Bronson awarded the Project Team Vista Award by the American Society for Healthcare Engineering (ASHE) of the American Hospital Association. The award recognizes the teamwork achieved by all the partners involved in building The New Bronson. ASHE bestows just one such award nationally each year.
Interiorscape Magazine's Best Project Award (2001)
Bronson and Foliage Design Systems of Western Michigan awarded one of Interiorscape Magazine's Best Project Awards for 2001 for the Garden Atrium project at Bronson Methodist Hospital, one of 19 projects in the country and the only healthcare facility honored.
Construction and Design Award (2001)
Bronson, Barton Malow/CSM, and Shepley, Bulfinch, Richardson and Abbott received the Engineering Society of Detroit's award for Construction and Design.
BSA Honor Award for Healthcare Facilities (2001)
SBRA and Bronson won the Honor Award in the Healthcare Facility Design Award program for 2001, co-sponsored by the Boston Society of Architects and the Healthcare Assembly. In competition with firms from across the U.S., SBRA was one of just two firms to win the Honor Award, the program's highest distinction for healthcare.
Pyramid Award (2001)
The Washtenaw Contractors Association acknowledged The New Bronson project with a Pyramid Award, as Project Team of the Year in the Michigan category. The award focuses on the exceptional unity of owner, designer and builder.
Associated Builders and Contractors Construction Award (2001)
Bronson won top honors, the Award of Excellence, in the Institutional Construction category of the Associated Builders and Contractors Construction Awards Program.
Award for Landscape Design (2001)
O'Boyle, Cowell, Blalock & Associates, Inc. received a Merit Award for their work on The New Bronson, from the Michigan chapter of the American Society of Landscape Architects in the category of Landscape Architecture Design.
