Duke Regional Hospital Gets Top Rank In National Survey
(Business North Carolina, David Mildenberg) — Duke Regional Hospital ranked No 1 in social responsibility in a national survey of nearly 2,700 acute-care hospitals, marking the third straight year the Durham hospital has received the top honor.
The survey by the Needham, Massachusetts-based Lown Institute looks at data from various sources related to equity, value, and patient outcomes. Duke Regional, which is part of Duke University’s healthcare system, was one of 27 N.C. hospitals achieving an “A” grade for social responsibility; there are 77 acute-care hospitals in the state.
“It’s an amazing testament to our team. This is not just a `Gosh we think we’re doing a good job’ thing,” says Jason Carter, president and chief operating officer of Duke Regional Hospital. “To be recognized says a lot about Duke Regional and the work that we do in the community.”
Two other N.C. hospitals ranked in the top 100: Hoke Hospital in Raeford was 40th, while Sentara Albemarle Medical Center in Elizabeth City was 75th.
Duke Regional’s community investments include $10 million in direct and in-kind resources to Durham’s Lincoln Community Health Center, which provides care to underserved patients. Carter credits the hospital’s effort to “get people in the hospital for the shortest amount of time and with the best care,” and then reduce readmissions, as keys to Duke Regional’s success.
The 388-bed hospital was formed in 1976 through the merger of Lincoln Hospital, which mainly served Black citizens, and Watts Hospital, which catered to white people. Durham County ran the hospital until 1998, when Duke University signed a management contract. In 2013, the hospital was renamed Duke Regional Hospital.
The Lown Institute is a nonpartisan think tank advocating for equitable, affordable health care.
Data sources for the ranking include claims to Medicare and Medicare Advantage; datasets on patient safety, patient experience, and hospital costs provided by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services; and information from the Internal Revenue Service.
Carter joined Duke Regional about 18 months ago after previously working for the University of Maryland Health System, Wake Forest Baptist Health, Novant Health and ECU Health.