NCH among top two percent of U.S. hospitals for clinical outcomes according to Healthgrades

Northwest Community Healthcare (NCH) today announced that it has achieved the Healthgrades 2021 America's 100 Best Hospitals Award. The distinction places NCH in the top two percent of nearly 4,500 hospitals assessed nationwide for its consistent, year-over-year superior clinical performance as measured by Healthgrades, the leading resource that connects consumers, physicians and health systems.

NCH was also recognized with the following distinctions in 2021:

• One of America's 100 Best Hospitals for Cardiac Care for 4 years in a row (2018-2021)

• One of America's 100 Best Hospitals for Coronary Intervention for two years in a row (2020-2021)

• One of America's 100 Best Hospitals for Stroke Care for 5 years in a row (2017-2021)

• One of America's 100 Best Hospitals for Pulmonary Care for 3 years in a row (2019-2021)

• One of America's 100 Best Hospitals for Critical Care for 3 years in a row (2019-2021)

• Neurosciences Excellence Award for 5 years in a row (2017-2021)

• Five Star Distinctions in Coronary Intervention Procedures, Treatment of Heart Attack, Treatment of Heart Failure, Cranial Neurosurgery, Treatment of Stroke, Treatment of COPD and Pneumonia, Treatment of GI Bleed, Bowel Obstruction, Pancreatitis, Colorectal Surgeries, Esophageal/Stomach Surgeries, Small Intestine Surgeries, Treatment of Sepsis, Respiratory Failure and Diabetic Emergencies.

"Our mission as a community hospital is to improve the health of the communities we serve and to meet individuals' healthcare needs," said NCH's Executive Vice President and Chief Medical Officer, Alan Loren, M.D., PhD. "We strive for excellence in everything we do which is why we are so proud to be recognized by Healthgrades for outstanding performance in many areas including cardiac care, critical care, pulmonary care, stroke and neuroscience. We have a phenomenal team of physicians and healthcare professionals who work together with one goal in mind - to provide the best care available for our patients."

"Now more than ever, it is important to celebrate the physicians, nurses and extended care teams that are working around the clock to keep our nation safe. For the select hospitals that have been recognized with a Healthgrades America's 100 Best Hospitals Award, we extend our heartfelt appreciation and commend them for their ongoing commitment to delivering the highest quality healthcare," said Brad Bowman, MD, Chief Medical Officer, Healthgrades.

From 2017 through 2019, patients treated in hospitals achieving the award had, on average, a 26.1 percent lower risk of dying than if they were treated in hospitals that did not receive the award, as measured across 19 rated conditions and procedures for which mortality is the outcome.*

And during that same period, if all hospitals performed similarly to those achieving the Healthgrades America's 100 Best Hospitals Award, 172,298 lives could potentially have been saved. For example, patients treated for heart failure in hospitals achieving the award have, on average, a 31.3 percent lower risk of dying than if they were treated in hospitals that did not receive the award.*

During the 2021 study period (Medicare Fiscal Years 2017-2019), Healthgrades America's 100 Best Hospitals Award recipients are recognized for overall clinical excellence and providing top quality care across multiple specialty lines and areas. These hospitals showed superior performance in clinical outcomes for patients in the Medicare population across at least 21 of 32 most common inpatient conditions and procedures - as measured by objective performance data (risk-adjusted mortality and in-hospital complications).

To learn more about how Healthgrades determines award recipients, and for more information on Healthgrades Quality Solutions, please visit www.healthgrades.com/quality.

About Northwest Community Healthcare (NCH)

In January 2021, Northwest Community Healthcare (NCH) joined NorthShore University HealthSystem. The NCH Arlington Heights campus features a 509-bed hospital with a Level II Trauma Center, Level III Neonatal Intensive Care Unit and dedicated pediatric emergency department. Throughout the Northwest suburbs, NCH has 23 doctor's offices; five immediate care centers; seven physical rehabilitation sites; and 13 lab locations. Also in 2021 NCH was named one of Healthgrades' America's 100 Best Hospitals. For a comprehensive listing of physicians and programs visit nch.org.

Headquartered in Evanston, NorthShore is a fully integrated healthcare delivery system that includes 6 hospitals: Evanston, Glenbrook, Highland Park, Skokie, Swedish and now NCH. Together, the NorthShore system provides clinical excellence and community-focused care across Chicagoland. NorthShore consistently ranks as a Top 15 Major Teaching Hospital in the United States, with an established reputation for exceptional patient care and is a national pioneer in the implementation of advanced health information technology. For more information, please visit NorthShore.org and SwedishCovenant.org.

*Statistics are based on Healthgrades analysis of MedPAR data for years 2017 through 2019 and represent 3-year estimates for Medicare patients only.