CHICAGO, Nov. 28 /PRNewswire/ -- Six hospitals have been honored for their progressive neuroscience programs in a nationwide survey conducted by NeuroSource, Inc., Chicago, and HealthTech, San Francisco. Brigham and Women’s Hospital (Boston), Carolinas Medical Center (Charlotte), Cedars-Sinai (Los Angeles), Medical College of Georgia Health System (Augusta), Memorial Hermann Hospital (Houston) and Washington Hospital Center (Washington, DC) received high marks for their excellent neuroscience programs in the 2005 Neuroscience Center of Excellence survey.
Hospitals receiving this distinction are true leaders that excel in four key areas in the neurosciences: clinical programs, staff, facility/technology and business approach.
The survey is conducted using a professional internet survey tool supplemented with telephone, personal and e-mail support. The 2005 subject group is comprised of more than 125 neuroscience administrators and hospital executives.
“Brigham and Women’s Hospital is honored to be acknowledged for our multi- disciplinary approach to patient care and research that encompasses neurology, neurosurgery and psychiatry,” says Craig Williams, administrative director of neurology and neurosurgery.
“It is our belief that the best clinical care comes from a strong foundation in research, and we emphasize a very close collaboration among our surgeons, physicians and scientists. Observations made in the clinical setting focus our research efforts, leading to innovations in tools and technologies as well as advances in patient care,” says Steve Jones, director of Surgery/Neuroscience Service Line at Cedar Sinai Hospital in Los Angeles.
High quality clinical programs are also important to the Medical College of Georgia. William Hamilton, administrative director of the MCG Neuroscience Center, explains. “Our nearly 20 neuroscience programs are characterized by superior customer service, exceptional clinical quality, recognized academic excellence and innovative research.”
In addition to high clinical quality, staffing is a key factor in Center of Excellence recognition. According to Brian McCagh, FACHE, vice president of Oncology & Neurosciences at the Washington Hospital Center, “The Neurosurgery and Neurology clinical chairmen have played a key role in developing a more comprehensive, integrated, and interdisciplinary Neuroscience Institute at Washington Hospital Center.”
Another hallmark of superior institutions is early adoption of technology. Donald F. Cooney, M.D., chairman of Neurosurgery at Washington Hospital Center, says, “The addition of the Gamma Knife, the gold standard in stereotactic radiosurgery, has positively impacted the growth and development of the Hospital Center’s neuroscience service line.”
Craig Van Der Veer, MD, medical director of the Neuroscience and Spine Institute at Carolinas Medical Center, says survey findings underscore both the quantity and quality of medical services available at CMC. “We have some really noteworthy services here that include high-precision treatment of brain tumors through the use of the BrainLab Novalis, a linear accelerator developed specifically to deliver precision stereotactic radiosurgery.”
Innovation and technology have played a role in the success of Memorial Hermann’s Neuroscience Institute. The Institute positioned itself as the first comprehensive diagnostic and treatment center to work in partnership with the University of Texas School of Medicine and Private Physicians. “This collaborative effort has resulted in innovation, clinical excellence, and rapid technological advancements,” says Heather J. Kopecky, RN, PhD, MBA, CNAA Chief Patient Care Officer, Memorial Hermann Hospital.
NeuroSource Inc. is the nation’s only health care company focused exclusively on the neurosciences and allied specialties, provides vital consulting services, implements new technologies and creates focused facilities to help health systems and physicians enhance their market position.
HealthTech, was founded in 2000 by Molly Coye, MD, MPH. HealthTech is a non-profit research and education organization that develops objective technology forecasts, innovative decision-making tools and facilitates a learning network of experts.
NeuroSource, Inc.
CONTACT: Lisa Stafford of PS Communications, +1-630-986-8749, orlisa@pscomm.net
