MetroHealth Among Ohio’s Best Hospitals for Inclusivity, Community Health
The MetroHealth System is one of the best hospitals in Ohio when it comes to its commitment to community health, equity and inclusivity, according a recently released study.
The Lown Institute Hospitals Index, a nonpartisan think tank, compared more than 3,000 hospitals across the United States on how well the hospitals treat their patients and their commitment to providing high-quality care.
“This recognition places MetroHealth in the top 98th percentile of the 3,282 hospitals and health systems for community health, equity and inclusion. It is a tribute to our mission, the Board of Trustees and employees of MetroHealth, who strive each day to make our community healthier and more resilient,” said MetroHealth President and CEO Akram Boutros, M.D. “Whether it is addressing affordable housing needs, infant mortality, prioritizing diversity, digitally connecting a community or building a new hospital, our health system is building new roads to success for everyone. We are proud of the ranking and are committed to doing even more.”
The scores were based on a combination of: civic leadership, including how much a hospital spends on community benefits; how well the hospital cares for minorities; the proportion of low-income patients it serves; value of care, which looks at the overuse of low-value procedures and patient outcomes, determined by a risk-adjustment algorithm.
“At a time when communities are relying on (hospitals) like never before, hospitals must rethink what it means to be great,” said Dr. Vikas Saini, president of the Lown Institute, in a statement. “To be great, a hospital cannot only provide care that’s high in quality. It must also deliver value and advance equality.”
The MetroHealth System has long prioritized community health and equitable health care for all. It is one of the founders of First Year Cleveland, which focuses on reducing infant deaths in Cuyahoga County, particularly among African-American babies. Dr. Boutros spoke last year at The City Club of Cleveland about health disparities and toxic stress.
MetroHealth also established the Institute for H.O.P.E. to address social determinants of health – factors such as housing, access to nutritious food, transportation, education and job training that can have a far greater impact on someone’s health than the medical care they receive.
MetroHealth ranked seventh on the list for Ohio, behind Mercy Health – West Hospital in Cincinnati (1) and Ohio State University Hospitals in Columbus (2). All hospitals ranked in the top 10 earned an A+ rating.
Founded in 1837, MetroHealth is leading the way to a healthier you and a healthier community through service, teaching, discovery, and teamwork. Cuyahoga County’s public, safety-net hospital system, MetroHealth meets people where they are, providing care through five hospitals, four emergency departments and more than 20 health centers. Each day, our nearly 9,000 employees focus on providing our community with equitable healthcare — through patient-focused research, access to care, and support services — that seeks to eradicate health disparities rooted in systematic barriers. For more information, visit metrohealth.org.
