Miami-Dade hospitals recognized for excellence

Three Miami-Dade hospitals earned honors last week for providing high quality medical care, according to an annual report from The Joint Commission, the organization that accredits hospitals across the country for quality and patient safety standards.

Baptist Hospital of Miami, the flagship facility of the region’s largest healthcare system, Baptist Health South Florida, earned certification as a “comprehensive stroke center” — becoming the first hospital in the region and the second in the state to receive the distinction.

Hospitals designated as comprehensive stroke centers undergo on-site reviews to demonstrate they have the necessary technological infrastructure, such as advanced imaging and a neurointensive care unit, and trained staff to treat patients with the most complex strokes.

Palmetto General Hospital in Hialeah and Coral Gables Hospital — both owned by Tenet Health, a for-profit chain of hospitals, outpatient centers and health plans — also earned Joint Commission recognition as “Top Performer on Key Quality Measures.”

Specifically, Palmetto General and Coral Gables were noted for excellence in the treatment of heart attack, heart failure, pneumonia and surgical care.

This story was originally published November 14, 2014 at 6:13 PM with the headline "Miami-Dade hospitals recognized for excellence."