Alaska Native Medical Center achieves “Meritorious” distinction for surgical outcomes
November 25, 2019
The Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium’s largest division, the Alaska Native Medical Center (ANMC), was recently deemed “Meritorious” for outstanding quality scores in eight surgical care outcome areas.
Nationwide, the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (ACS NSQIP®) recognized 88 of the 592 eligible hospitals participating in the adult program this year.
ANMC was the only hospital recognized in Alaska.
ACS NSQIP participating hospitals are required to track the outcomes of inpatient and outpatient surgical procedures in eight clinical areas that include cardiac arrest, myocardial infarction and pneumonia.
“The phrase, ‘increasing patient outcomes’ is used to help determine a goal. It continues to be a tangible target our staff is always striving to achieve,” said Dr. Holly Alfrey, ANMC Chief Medical Officer. “Earning this accolade means that the excellent surgical care our physicians provide is continually hitting that target.”
The American College of Surgeons is a scientific and educational organization of surgeons whose purpose is to raise the standards of surgical practice and improve the quality of care for surgical patients. Being recognized gives our patients and their families the assurance that they are getting exemplary care.
In addition to longstanding efforts to recruit and retain the best surgical team of physicians, nurses and other support staff, ANMC’s Board of Directors supports initiatives to improve patient care and surgical services at ANMC. Among these are reinvestment in our hospital operating rooms and clinical spaces to ensure ANMC patients receive care with up-to-date and state-of-the-art technology.
The results? Improved patient outcomes, less recovery time, greater patient satisfaction, national attention for excellence in surgical care and ultimately, the highest-quality care for the people we serve.
“Data is a valuable tool when analyzing patient care outcomes. This designation from the American College of Surgeons isn’t just about how the data proves our composite scores earned us Meritorious status. It’s about recognizing the excellent care our patients are receiving each and every day at ANMC,” said Roald Helgesen, ANTHC Chief Executive Officer and Administrator. “Our patients are our family members, our parents, children, aunties and uncles and our staff care deeply about each one. On behalf of our ANTHC family, we are so proud of this honor that truly recognizes our continual effort toward excellence.”