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Lown Institute ranks top 10 socially responsible US hospitals

by John R. Fischer, Senior Reporter | September 28, 2021
Few U.S. hospitals score high marks when it comes to demonstrating health equity
Despite being a top priority among U.S. hospitals, few are top of their game when it comes to demonstrating health equity. That’s what the Lown Hospitals Index for Social Responsibility found when it ranked over 3700 hospitals on 54 metrics assessing equity, value and outcomes.

While many achieved top marks for value and outcomes, scores for equity were consistently lower across the board. Only 75 hospitals achieved Honor Roll status with A grades in equity, value and outcomes, here are the top 10:

1. Carepoint Health – Christ Hospital (Jersey City, NJ)
2. Saint Michael’s Medical Center (Newark, NJ)
3. Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center (Baltimore, MD)
4. Oroville Hospital (Oroville, CA)
5. University of Maryland Medical Center Midtown Campus (Baltimore, MD)
6. UNM Sandoval Regional Medical Center (Rio Rancho, NM)
7. Mercy Hospital Clermont (Batavia, OH)
8. Legacy Mount Hood Medical Center (Gresham, OR)
9. Banner-University Medical Center South Campus (Tucson, AZ)
10. East Liverpool City Hospital (East Liverpool, OH)

The index judges hospitals based on metrics including readmissions and mortality, top executive compensation, charity care, community investments, cost efficiency and value of care. Following criticism over its methodology last year — when the first index came out — Lown Institute made a number of changes, including the addition of a new measure for cost efficiency. This evaluates how well hospitals ensure low mortality rates at low cost.

Dr. Vikas Saini, president of the Lown Institute, says the desire to integrate equity has grown over the last few years among hospitals amidst the COVID-19 pandemic and with the rise of events around racial justice. “It’s not enough for hospitals to say they’re committed to social responsibility. They need to put their commitment into action. Doing well on the Lown Index is one way they can demonstrate progress.”

Major teaching hospitals and those in urban areas achieved top places on the list. One third of all providers on the Honor Roll were in either California or Ohio, and those in New Jersey, Maryland and Tennessee were also well-represented. On average, for-profits performed worse, though two from Northern New Jersey did make it to the top. Hawaii, Delaware and Washington, D.C. had the highest average of the best ranked hospitals overall, according to Modern Healthcare.

In contrast, Arkansas, Mississippi and Alabama had the lowest average number. Claiborne County Hospital in Mississippi ranked worst overall, with a C for equity and Ds for clinical outcomes and value. It also ranked hospitals from best to worst, with Adena Health System in Ohio coming in at number one and not-for-profit Memorial Healthcare System in Florida taking last place, according to Modern Healthcare.

Data was derived from Medicare fee-for-service claims between 2016 and 2018, which the American Hospital Association took issue with on the grounds that the information does not account for all patients in hospital. "The new index from the Lown Institute draws sweeping and arbitrary conclusions about hospitals and health systems using old and incomplete data and flawed methodologies," said an AHA spokesperson.

Data was also used from SEC filings, IRS 990 forms and the U.S. Department of Labor, reported Modern Healthcare.

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