Carson Tahoe Health’s Healthcare Affiliate, University of Utah Health Care, Ranks No. 1 Nationally in Quality, Accountability After 6 Years in Top 10

For seven years running, University of Utah Health Care (UUHC) has ranked among the nation’s top 10 academic medical centers in quality, safety and accountability. This year, the U has risen to the top.

On Friday in Dallas, Vizient, Inc. announced UUHC finished in first place overall in its prestigious Quality and Accountability Study, besting more than 100 of the nation’s most distinguished academic medical centers. Earning the No. 1 spot in Vizient’s rigorous study means UUHC patients enjoy outstanding outcomes whether they’re having a baby or undergoing heart surgery. It also means UUHC posts low mortality rates and that patients receive some of the safest care in the country. When discharged, they’re less likely to need to be readmitted.

The 2016 result matches UUHC’s previous best-ever ranking of No. 1 in 2010.

“The Quality Leadership Award is unique in that it recognizes health care centers for providing great care to patients across all clinical lines — not just in one or two areas,” said Vivian Lee, M.D., Ph.D., M.B.A., chief executive officer of University of Utah Health Care and dean of the School of Medicine. “Being recognized as No. 1 means our community has access to some of the best health care in the country. I’m honored to be a part of such a collaborative, innovative and talented group of people who are dedicated to improving lives and reducing suffering.”

Carson Tahoe Health became an affiliate of UUHC in 2013, and Carson Tahoe Cancer Center formed an affiliation in 2015 with the university’s Huntsman Cancer Institute. Through these strategic alliances, our community can tap into the world-class research & educational resources associated with one of our nation’s top academic institutions.

“Carson Tahoe Health is pleased to be an affiliate of UUHC and Huntsman, as they both share our dedication to ensuring our community has the best possible access to high quality care,” said Ed Epperson, CEO at Carson Tahoe Health. “We want to congratulate UUHC on receiving this prestigious national award, and we are proud to be associated with our country’s top-ranked academic medical center.”

2016 Vizient Quality and Accountability Study Rankings:

1. University of Utah Health Care
2. NYU Langone Medical Center
3. Mayo Clinic Hospital-Rochester
4. Froedtert & the Medical College of Wisconsin Froedtert Hospital
5. Rush University Medical Center
6. WVU Medicine West Virginia University Hospitals
7. Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center
8. Cedars-Sinai Health System
9. Houston Methodist
10. Nebraska Medicine
11. The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center
12. University of Michigan Health System
13. University of Vermont Medical Center

Each of these top hospitals received the Bernard A. Birnbaum, M.D. Quality Leadership Award for their high finish in the study. UUHC has now won the award seven straight years. In addition, UUHC received the 2016 Vizient Excellence Award for Ambulatory Care, which recognizes demonstrated excellence in delivering high-quality, patient-centered, efficient and effective outpatient care. UUHC finished fifth in that study.

Vizient, Inc. is the largest member-driven health care performance company in the U.S. and has conducted the study annually since 2005. In previous years, the Vizient Excellence Awards were known as the University HealthSystem Consortium Awards.