Pittsburgh: Home to America’s Best Hospitals
Why do people move to Pittsburgh? Better yet, why do people stay? For a lot of reasons. But healthcare comes in high on the list. The ‘Burgh is home to some of the best hospital systems in the United States, and you’ll find a hospital here for practically every need.

With 20 hospitals, more than 2,300 employed physicians, three surgery centers, and a comprehensive cancer center, the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC) is Greater Pittsburgh’s biggest kid on the health care block. In its report “America’s Best Hospitals 2007,” U.S. News and World Report recognized UPMC as one of fourteen ‘Honor Roll’ facilities, reaching at least the top 20 in 14 of the 16 specialty areas studied. Eight of those ranked in the top 20, and one — Ear, Nose, and Throat — ranked 3rd.

Allegheny General Hospital, part of the West Penn Allegheny Health System (WPAHS) has also earned consistently high marks on national “best of” lists. Consumer Checkbook has ranked Allegheny General in the top five for renal (kidney) and cardiac care, and in the top 25 overall, out of 4,500 medical centers evaluated. Eighty-six physicians from the WPAHS made up of seven hospitals were listed in the Guide to Top Doctors by Consumers’ Checkbook. This non-profit consumer information organization compiled the publication by asking 260,000 doctors across the country which specialists they’d recommend to
loved ones.

Additionally, Solucient, a health information consulting firm, recognized a number of Greater Pittsburgh hospitals in its most recent report, “100 Top Hospitals: Benchmarks for Success”: West Penn Hospital
(part of WPAHS) and UPMC Presbyterian were among the 15 major teaching hospitals honored. UPMC St. Margaret and Butler Memorial Hospital were recognized in the medium community
hospitals category.

Health Care as a Mission
Hospitals in Pittsburgh date back to the mid 19th century when seven Sisters of Mercy immigrated here from Carlow, Ireland shortly after the Great Fire of 1845 ravaged Pittsburgh. They came to bring medical care to disease-ridden Pittsburgh, before the advent of antiseptics. The Sisters of Mercy opened Mercy Hospital in 1847, the city’s first hospital and the first Mercy Hospital in the world. Its presence prompted other religious groups to follow suit. Lutherans built Passavant Hospital, now part of UPMC, and in 1853, Protestants opened Western Pennsylvania Hospital, known today as West Penn Hospital.

The Pittsburgh Mercy Health System (PMHS) evolved from the early seeds planted by the Sisters of Mercy. Today, Mercy is a faith-based, health-care system that comprises two acute-care campuses, six outpatient centers, 50 behavioral-health locations, and 5,000 associates. The system is known for providing specialized services and compassionate care in the Catholic tradition.

In September 2006, the Pittsburgh Mercy Health System and its parent organization, Catholic Health East, announced a letter of intent to merge The Mercy Hospital of Pittsburgh with UPMC. Under the agreement, Mercy continued to operate as a Catholic hospital, with oversight from the Diocese of Pittsburgh. The transaction was approved by the Vatican in November 2007, and the two health systems officially merged in January 2008.

Mercy’s experienced team of health care professionals specialize in providing neurology, neurosurgery, and advanced treatment of stroke; trauma and burn care through a Level I Regional Resource Trauma Center; cardiology, cardiovascular and thoracic surgery; orthopedics and joint replacement surgery; physical medicine and rehabilitation services, including acquired brain injury rehabilitations, hearing, and balance and wound services; obstetrics-gynecology, including maternal-fetal medicine and a Level 3 Neonatal Intensive Care unit; and behavioral services. Other services include medical and surgical care; emergency care; medical, surgical, and radiation oncology; pediatrics; diabetes’ home health; occupational health and palliative care. Convenient primary care, specialists, and outpatient services are offered at Mercy’s SmartHealth Outpatient Centers in Bethel Park, Brentwood, Delmont, Green Tree, North Huntingdon, and Penn Hills. In addition, Mercy Behavioral Health is Allegheny County’s largest provider of community-based, behavioral-health services, including mental health, mental retardation, and alcohol, tobacco, and other drug services.

UPMC Mercy sponsors nine graduate medical education programs and a diploma school of nursing. And with 800 physicians and 2,500 associates, the hospital is one of the region’s largest employers.

Founded in 1911, Magee-Womens Hospital of UPMC has earned a reputation as one of the premier, women’s health centers in the country. In 2007, U.S. News and World Report ranked the hospital 12th in the nation for gynecology — up one spot from last year. Magee-Womens Hospital is one of the original, six National Centers of Excellence designated by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, and the nation’s first research center with an all-women’s, health-related research agenda.

In 2004, Magee opened an $11-million neonatal intensive care unit with 63 beds and 48 private bays, making it the largest in the country. And in 2007, the hospital’s $30-million, state-of-the-art women’s health research center began operations.

The extended network of West Penn Allegheny Health System (WPAHS) includes Allegheny General Hospital and West Penn Hospital in the City of Pittsburgh, AGH Suburban Hospital in Bellevue, Canonsburg General Hospital, Alle-Kiski Medical Center in Natrona Heights, West Penn Forbes Regional campus in Monroeville, and Forbes Hospice. The entire system treats more than 80,000 patients each year and has a capacity of 2,000 beds.

Since its founding in 1885, Allegheny General Hospital (AGH) has earned a far-reaching reputation for medical innovation and leading-edge clinical expertise. Among its many accolades, AGH has been recognized by U.S. News & World Report as one of the nation’s top hospitals for a wide variety of clinical specialties. HealthGrades® ranked AGH as the top hospital in Pittsburgh for stroke care and among the nation’s top 10 percent of hospitals for stroke care. Thomson Healthcare lauded AGH as one of the nation’s 100 Top Hospitals and Performance Improvement Leaders has acclaimed it as a national leader in the prevention of hospital-acquired infections.

Founded in 1848 as Pittsburgh’s first, chartered public hospital, The Western Pennsylvania Hospital has a long tradition of firsts in patient care. Nationally recognized for innovation and excellence, West Penn is Pittsburgh’s first and only hospital to achieve Magnet recognition status for nursing excellence from the American Nurses Credentialing Center. Among its many achievements, the hospital operates the region’s first and only burn center verified by the American Burn Association. Thomson Healthcare has recognized West Penn Hospital among the nation’s Top 100 hospitals for cardiovascular care, and HealthGrades has ranked it as Pennsylvania’s top hospital for bariatric surgery.

As part of Allegheny General Hospital, Allegheny General Hospital – Suburban Campus (AGH-SC) combines sophisticated care with the convenience of a community hospital. Besides its wide array of medical and surgical services, AGH-SC is noted for a variety of specialized services such as pediatric intensive care, pediatric orthopedic surgery and pediatric emergency care; orthopedic surgery, sports medicine, physical medicine and rehabilitation; pain medicine; and advanced treatment for
sleep disorders. The hospital’s Emergency Department maintains benchmark standards of efficiency and patient satisfaction, and strives to treat every patient within 30
minutes of arrival.

Canonsburg General Hospital’s new state-of-the-art Emergency Department features 18 large, private examination rooms, digital X-ray equipment, computerized patient tracking/information systems, and bedside registration designed to reduce waiting time. The hospital now serves as a base for AGH’s renowned LifeFlight helicopter, giving residents immediate access to the life-saving medical air transport system. AGH’s renowned physicians specialize in cardiovascular diseases, neurosurgery, thoracic surgery, and brachytherapy for the treatment of prostate cancer. They provide advanced specialty care at Canonsburg General Hospital.

Alle-Kiski Medical Center (AKMC) consists of a hospital campus in Natrona Heights and an Ambulatory Care Center in New Kensington. The 250-bed hospital serves as AKMC’s inpatient facility and offers a broad spectrum of programs, including medical and surgical services, inpatient psychiatric care and geriatric psychiatric care, cardiology and orthopedics. Virtually all outpatient services are available on the hospital campus.

AKMC’s Ambulatory Care Center offers a variety of outpatient programs, including medical oncology services, laboratory studies, cardiac diagnostics and radiology services, such as routine X-rays, CT scans, mammography and ultrasound. The site is the home of the Joslin Diabetes Center Affiliate at AKMC and an Urgent Care Center for the treatment of minor medical emergencies.

AKMC annually admits nearly 12,000 patients and logs approximately 33,000 emergency visits, 14,000 Urgent Care Center visits, and 8,200 surgical procedures. More than 250 physicians and 1,300 employees share the hospital’s commitment to excellence.

A member of West Penn Allegheny Health System, AKMC is home to the Alle-Kiski Cancer Center, offering a wide range of medical and radiation oncology services. AKMC also features PriorityCare, a free membership and information program for adults age 55 and older and Destination Wellness, a community health and wellness education resource center at the Galleria at Pittsburgh Mills. In addition, AKMC has an off-site physical and occupational therapy center in Natrona Heights and has blood-draw stations in Lower Burrell and Natrona Heights.

West Penn Hospital - Forbes Regional Campus offers a complete array of surgical, medical and inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation services. The facility offers care in bariatric surgery, cardiology, diabetes, diagnostic imaging, emergency medicine, gynecology, hospice care, neurology, obstetrics, oncology, orthopedics, outpatient surgery, pediatrics and psychiatry.

West Penn Hospital - Forbes Regional Campus admits more than 14,000 patients a year, and performs nearly 10,000 surgeries. Its newly expanded emergency department, one of the busiest in the region, logs more than 40,000 visits annually. The Forbes Regional Campus Life Style Center provides one-of-a-kind opportunities to help patients improve their health with personalized diet and fitness programs.

Forbes Hospice, located in Oakland, remains Pittsburgh’s oldest and most respected end-of-life and palliative care program, providing care for families from Allegheny, Beaver, Butler, Washington, and Westmoreland counties. Forbes Hospice has helped thousands of terminally ill people to live each day to the fullest, in the comfort of family and friends.

Heritage Valley Health System, a community owned, integrated healthcare delivery system, provides comprehensive healthcare for residents in Pennsylvania – in Allegheny, Beaver, Butler, and Lawrence counties – and in eastern Ohio and the panhandle of West Virginia. With more than 400 physicians and over 4,300 employees, Heritage Valley offers a broad range of medical, surgical, and diagnostic services.

The system comprises two hospitals — Heritage Valley Beaver and Heritage Valley Sewickley — and more than 50 physician offices throughout its service area. Heritage Valley also has strategically located 20 community satellite facilities, two surgery centers, and two cancer-treatment centers to allow convenience and proximity to its patient population.

Heritage Valley is on the cutting edge of technology and process solutions. Its “Care Card” system allows patients and providers quick and easy access to healthcare information, wherever they are in the system. Touch-screen, kiosk registration for patients and physician access to the Electronic Health Records allow for seamless care at multiple points in the system. Heritage Valley physicians also have the ability to use ePrescribing. This enables them to send patient prescriptions directly to a pharmacy from a handheld wireless device, thereby eliminating paper orders and enabling pharmacies to have prescriptions ready when the patients arrive.

The system also offers exceptional healthcare educational opportunities through its School of Nursing Program in Moon Township, its Family Practice Residency Program in Beaver, and its Podiatric Residency Program in Beaver.

Founded in 1954, St. Clair Hospital is an independent, acute-care facility that provides advanced, high-quality health care to the residents of Southwestern Pennsylvania. The Hospital offers comprehensive inpatient and outpatient services, including cardiovascular care; oncology services; emergency care;
behavioral health services; specialized care for women, children and infants; general surgery; and musculoskeletal and pulmonary health care services. With its main campus located in Mt. Lebanon, St. Clair Hospital also offers healthcare services at several, convenient outpatient centers.

St. Clair Hospital’s commitment to excellence in clinical performance, cutting-edge medical technology and sophisticated specialty care has led to the construction of a new $13.5-million Emergency Department expansion and renovation project. With an expected completion date of November 2008, the new Emergency Department will accommodate up to 80,000 visitors annually in an environment tailored to address patient needs and comforts. The new Emergency Department will feature 46 private, inpatient treatment rooms equipped with cardiac monitoring capabilities. Thirty of these rooms will include adult acute-treatment rooms, 6 “Fast Track” rooms used for treating patients with minor injuries or illnesses in a prompt fashion, 6 Pediatric rooms specifically developed to care for infants and children, and 3 behavioral-health treatment rooms.

St. Clair Hospital continues to gain recognition on local, state and national levels for its commitment to medical excellence, focus on patient safety and outstanding work environment. For the past six consecutive years, the hospital has been named one of the “100 Best Places to Work in Pennsylvania” by a statewide coalition of private and public organizations. In addition, St. Clair Hospital is the recipient of the VHA 2007 Leadership Award for Clinical Excellence as well as the VHA Achieving Patient Care Excellence Award (APEX). Named a 2007 Blue Distinction Center for Cardiac Care by the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association, St. Clair Hospital had the lowest in-patient mortality rate for open-heart surgery among all Allegheny County hospitals, as reported by the Pennsylvania Health Care Cost Containment Council.

Excela Health is the newest health care system in the region. Founded in 2004 as a merger of Westmoreland Hospital, Latrobe Area Hospital (LAH), and Frick Hospital, Excela Health has invested heavily in these facilities to create premier medical centers. In May 2008, Excela completed an asset purchase agreement of Mercy Jeannette Hospital, and is now poised to create a new center for neuroscience in 2009.

Health Care for Children
Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC remains the first and only hospital in the region devoted solely to the care of infants, children, and young adults. Its commitment to family-centered care, advanced nursing practices, innovative technology, and patient safety has landed it consistently on a number of elite lists of the top pediatric hospitals in the United States. In its 2006 survey, U.S. News & World Report rated it the 13th best hospital in the country for pediatrics, making it the 17th straight year that is has cracked the top 15.

The Children’s research program is one of the fastest growing in the country. And the National Institutes of Health recently selected Children’s as one of only 20 Child Health Research Centers nationwide dedicated to the training of pediatric researchers.

By the spring of 2009, Children’s Hospital expects to move to a new, 10-acre campus in the Lawrenceville section of Pittsburgh. At a cost of more than $500 million, the hospital will stand out as a preeminent facility that is as comfortable as it is efficient, and will be one of the first environmentally friendly hospitals in the nation. The “green” building will have ample natural light, improved air quality, and reduced noise levels. (See p. 20, for more information.)

Insuring Your Health Care
Your health insurance is likely to be determined by your or your spouse’s employer. When you enroll, read the information carefully to make sure to get the right coverage for your family. To help you make sense of your plan, visit the Pennsylvania Insurance Department website at www.ins.state.pa.us. You can also reach the department by phone at 877-881-6388.

On of the leading health insurers in Pennsylvania, Highmark Inc.’s mission is to provide access to affordable, quality health care enabling individuals to live longer, healthier lives. Based in Pittsburgh, Highmark serves 4.6 million people through the company’s health care benefits business. Highmark contributes millions of dollars to help keep quality health care programs affordable and to support community-based programs that work to improve people’s health.

The history of Highmark Inc. begins during the Great Depression of the 1930s and the genesis of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield movement. To ensure the availability of funds to pay for hospital and medical services, respectively, the hospital association based in Pittsburgh sponsored the formation of the organization later known as Blue Cross of Western Pennsylvania and the Pennsylvania Medical Society backed the founding of Pennsylvania Blue Shield. In 1996, Highmark was formed through the consolidation of those two Blue Plans.

Highmark remains deeply committed to the communities in which it does business and where its employees live and work. The company also is deeply committed not just to remaining financially stable but to doing all it can to be a growing, socially responsible organization. Visit www.highmark.com for more information.

A young, yet growing provider is UPMC Health Plan. With more than 900,000 members, this plan maintains an “Excellent” rating, the highest available from the National Committee for Quality Assurance. Its local provider network includes UPMC and community providers, totaling more than 80 hospitals and more than 7,000 physicians in a 28-county region. You can learn more by visiting its site at www.upmchealthplan.com.

For more than 32 years, HealthAmerica has provided health-benefit solutions to employers across Pennsylvania. The company serves 12,000 businesses and more than 650,000 members in Pennsylvania and Ohio and offers progressive medical management, innovative wellness programs, and national provider networks. HealthAmerica was ranked as one of “America’s Best Health Plans, 2007” by U.S. News & World Report. Its HMO and POS products have an “Excellent” accreditation by the National Committee for Quality Assurance. To review HealthAmerica’s products and services, visit www.healthamerica.cvty.com HealthAmerica offers HMO, PPO, and POS services. Its Advantra Medicare plan provides HMO and PPO services. And the Advantra Freedom Medicare plan offers Private-Fee-For Service (PFFS).

Other players include United Healthcare with 130,000 members in Western Pennsylvania, and Aetna with 82,000 members. For children whose families cannot afford health insurance, Pennsylvania offers the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP). This plan provides low- or no-cost health insurance to children of hard-working Pennsylvania families who struggle to make ends meet. For more information, log on to www.chipcoverspakids.com or call the Health Kids Helpline at 800-986-KIDS.

Historic Health Care Achievements
Until the 1950’s, the scourge of polio moved across the United States, invading the bodies of thousands
of children, helpless against its attacks, and leaving them crippled, paralyzed, and burdened with
life-long symptoms.

In 1955, the polio vaccine developed by Jonas Salk and his research team at the University of Pittsburgh proved successful in initial testing. A mass immunization followed, and the United States started on the path to a polio-free society. Salk is just one of many, Pittsburgh pioneers who shaped our health care for the better.

Have you ever completed training in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR)? Dr. Peter Safar, a UPMC anesthesiologist known as the Father of CPR created the ABC’s of CPR still used today to train people in maintaining an open airway, breathing, and circulation. He also developed the first, intensive care unit in the United States, and designed a prototype of the modern ambulance.

And who has not heard of Dr. Thomas Starzl whose surgical pioneering work in organ transplantation broadened the boundaries of medical science. His achievements include performing the first successful liver transplant in 1967, performing a five-organ transplant on a three-year-old girl who then lived for 192 days, and paving the way for transplantation of cross species. In 1992, he directed a team of UPMC surgeons as they performed the world’s first, baboon-to-human liver transplant.

But the saga of Pittsburgh’s health-care advances continues. Imagine a hand-held device called the Sonic Flashlight, almost like a wand, that allows doctors to see six inches deep through a patient’s skin. Or how about a one-inch sensor as thin as a piece of thread that doctors can implant under the skin of a patient with diabetes that provides a glucose reading by glowing when light is shined on it. Or consider a paint that simultaneously changes color and decontaminates a room in the presence of a nerve gas? Or a locker-sized machine that keeps the liver alive much like a dialysis machine does for a kidney? Or a biodegradable scaffolding that looks like a square of soft, white mesh cloth that regrows organs and tissues. These are the kinds of research taking place at the University of Pittsburgh and Carnegie Mellon University to improve our lives.

Such forward-thinking research like this represents only a small part of the health-care research now taking place in Pittsburgh. Research scientists continue to work in laboratories, testing and retesting, and compiling data that keeps on moving the health care of Pittsburgh and the nation into the future.mg