Palomar Medical Center Escondido named one of Healthgrades 2021 America's 250 Best Hospitals

ESCONDIDO – Palomar Health today announced that it has achieved the Healthgrades 2021 America's 250 Best Hospitals AwardTM. The distinction places Palomar Medical Center Escondido in the top five percent of nearly 4,500 hospitals assessed nationwide for its superior clinical performance as measured by Healthgrades, the leading resource that connects consumers, physicians and health systems.

"This award recognizes the amazing work of our nurses, technicians, environmental service workers, facilities crew, physicians and support staff who perform miracles every day," said Palomar Health Chief Operating Officer Sheila Brown. "It's also a reflection of our commitment to providing the best health care to our community."

From 2017 through 2019, patients treated in hospitals receiving the Healthgrades America's 250 Best Hospitals Award had, on average, a 27.4% 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.*

"Given that the delivery of healthcare has profoundly changed due to COVID-19, we want to extend our congratulations to the hospitals that received Healthgrades America's 250 Best Award. These organizations are committed to providing exceptional clinical outcomes for their patients," said Brad Bowman, MD, Chief Medical Officer, Healthgrades.

The Palomar Medical Center Escondido campus is continuing to expand services to allow patients to remain in their community for health care. The Crisis Stabilization Unit and Radiation Oncology opened in the past year and the 52-bed Palomar Health Rehabilitation Institute will open in the spring of 2021 followed by an urgent care center and pediatric offices.

Healthgrades America's 250 Best Hospitals Award recipients are recognized for overall clinical excellence and providing top-quality care across multiple specialty lines and areas. During the 2021 study period (Medicare Fiscal Years 2017-2019), 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, visit www.healthgrades.com/quality.

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

Submitted by Palomar Health.