 When working to improve clinical service quality, it makes sense to bring together people who are experts at delivering care - physicians, nurses, pharmacists, dietitians and other clinicians and support staff whose education, experiences and skills combine to address the whole patient, not just the disease or injury.
Through the years, Meriter has developed and established clinical guidelines - step-by-step methods of providing care based on sound research. These best-known practices lead to fewer errors of omission and better outcomes.
Meriter patients are in good hands. Our active and associate medical staff features 775 physicians in a variety of specialties who are affiliated with practices from throughout the area.
In addition to the human element, Meriter makes considerable investments in new and upgraded equipment and training that allow us to improve the care and services we deliver.
Cardiac Care
Meriter takes many steps to ensure the best possible cardiac surgery outcomes. Below you'll find key indicators related to cardiac care. Statistics related to Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery (CAB) are shown, as this is a common cardiac surgery.
The American College of Cardiology and the American Heart Association have set a standard of 90 minutes for balloon/stent deployment time.
Meriter is one of 122 Wisconsin hospitals to report data into the Wisconsin Health & Hospital Association's CheckPoint Web site. The following measurement data related to cardiac care is for
4/1/2006-3/31/2007.
ACEI = ACE Inhibitors. Meriter's ACE inhibitors score is lower than national benchmarks because our clinicians sometimes choose to use other treatments, based on the status of the patient. This practice is changing within many hospitals nationwide.
Obstetrical Care
Cesarean births are a common indicator of quality in obstetric programs. Meriter's primary cesarean birth rate in 2007 was lower than the national average. (A primary cesarean birth is a woman's first c-section.) The national data shown is from the Center for Disease Control's National Vital Statistics Report
for 2004. This is the most-current data available until the 2005 rates are
announced in August, 2008.
Meriter supports the American Academy of Pediatrics' position that babies, when possible, should be exclusively breastfed for the first six months of life. We encourage mothers and babies to room together around the clock in the hospital to facilitate successful breastfeeding.
National Data: Obtained from the Center for Disease Control's Breastfeeding National Immunization Data
for 2004, the most-current information available.
Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation
Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation is a specialized field of medical practice that focuses on restoring function for people with complex or chronic disabling diseases, illnesses or injuries.
Meriter's services are
CARF accredited. The care given to patients who have had a stroke is highlighted below.
Physical Therapy
Meriter's physical therapists use a team approach, customizing
treatment and encouraging patients to take an active role in managing their
health and preventing injuries. Their functional improvement, pain reduction and
perceived improvement outcomes are slightly better than the national average.
Other Key Clinical Measures
Meriter is one of 122 Wisconsin hospitals to report data into the Wisconsin Health & Hospital Association's CheckPoint Web site. The following measurement data is for
4/1/2006-3/31/2007.
Further Information
For further information about community service in specific areas of Meriter Hospital, please see our service line report cards:
- Behavioral Services - 2007, 2006, 2005
- Birth and Family Services - 2006, 2005, 2001
- Emergency Services - 2007, 2006
- Heart Hospital - 2007, 2006, 2005, 2004, 2003, 2002, 2001, 1999
- Joint and Spine - 2007
- Physical Medicine and Rehab - 2007, 2006, 2005, 2004, 2003, 2002, 2001, 2000
You can also review a joint report issued by Meriter and our insurance partner, Physicians Plus Insurance Corporation:
- Partners in Health: A Report to Our Community - 2006, 2005, 2004
If you would like to print the overall hospital information in an abridged format, please open our Meriter Hospital Report Cards: 2006, 2005, 2004, 2003.
Please note the above reports are Adobe Acrobat Reader files. To open these files, you need to have Adobe Acrobat Reader on your computer. This is a free plug-in. Download Adobe Acrobat Reader Now For Free!
5/5/2008
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Highlighted Data:
Nurse Vacancy RateMeriter nurses have served with us an average of 13 years and our vacancy rate is well below national averages.
We strive to meet patient needs by maintaining excellent nursing staffing levels through attractive nursing care hours per patient day. And our percentage of registered nurses meet or exceed national staffing ratios.
Meriter Hospital Registered Nurse
Vacancy Rate
2002 6.6%
2003 4.0%
2004 1.7%
2005 1.8%
2006 1.8%
2007 1.4%
Meriter also participates in a national study that collects nursing quality indicators.
Highlighted Data:
Time from ED Admission to Balloon/Stent Deployment TimeWhy This is Important
- According to David Lewis, MD, Wisconsin Heart cardiologist, patients who are experiencing heart attacks have a 95% chance of survival if they are treated with balloon angioplasty within six hours of the onset of symptoms.
- Studies have shown conclusively that balloon angioplasty is a better treatment than thrombolytic clot-busting drugs.
What Meriter is Doing to Lower These Numbers
- Meriter takes a variety of measures to cut down on the time that passes between admission to the Emergency Department and Balloon deployment.
- Our accredited Chest Pain Center allows patients to be quickly diagnosed in Emergency Services and receive coordinated care throughout the hospital.
Highlighted Data:
Meriter Home Health
Meriter Home Health provides services that rank among the best in the state and nation, according to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). CMS conducts a survey to measure and compare home health care quality.
These surveys measure how well we do to help patients improve in areas such as bathing, walking or moving around, and taking medicines correctly - categories chosen because they relate to activities important to helping people continue to live at home. In almost every area, Meriter Home Health's quality measures surpass state and national averages.
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