FirstHealth Moore Regional Hospital recognized as one of North Carolina’s Best Hospitals

David J. Kilarski

John Krahnert Jr., M.D.

PINEHURST – FirstHealth Moore Regional Hospital has once again been recognized as one of the state’s best hospitals and as a top hospital in patient satisfaction by Business North Carolina magazine. 

Moore Regional ranked No. 5 in the “best hospital” ranking and No. 7 in the “patient picks” list.

“We are very pleased to once again be recognized by Business North Carolina as one of the best hospitals in the state and as a top hospital for patient satisfaction,” says David J. Kilarski, chief executive officer for FirstHealth of the Carolinas.  “This achievement is an affirmation of the hard work of our physicians, nurses and ancillary health care professionals in advancing quality and safety.  We are proud of our team’s accomplishments and the great work that they do every day to provide high-quality care to patients throughout the mid-Carolinas.”

More than 100 North Carolina hospitals were compared on varying quality measures to assemble the “best hospital” list. The 12 weighted criteria included patient satisfaction; death rates for heart attack, heart failure and pneumonia; readmission rates and complications stemming from surgeries as well as independent experiential data compiled by Blue Cross and Blue Shield Inc. of North Carolina, The Leapfrog Group and U.S. News & World Report.

The “patient picks” list is a result of  The Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems surveys of hospital patients on outcomes, instructions upon being discharged, cleanliness and other factors.

“FirstHealth is proud to be recognized among the best hospitals in the state,”  says John Krahnert Jr., M.D., FirstHealth’s chief medical officer. “Our team has demonstrated an ability to sustain this high-level performance year after year. This achievement is a testament to the commitment of the FirstHealth staff to offer a level of medical excellence that is recognized among the best in North Carolina.”

Moore Regional Hospital has also been recognized as a Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina “cutting-edge hospital” for quality and expertise in cardiac care.
 
“As a cardiothoracic surgeon, I am keenly aware of the rigorous quality and safety measures that are involved with the delivery of high-quality cardiac medicine,”  adds Dr. Krahnert.  “Moore Regional’s program has been nationally recognized for providing the highest quality cardiovascular care, and we are committed to the continued delivery of compassionate patient care supported by the latest technology and clinical expertise.”

In 2013, FirstHealth’s Reid Heart Center became the first in the Sandhills to offer transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR).  Approved in 2011 by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for high-risk and non-operable patients, TAVR can be a lifesaving procedure for patients with severe aortic stenosis, a valvular condition affecting about 3 percent of the American population over age 65. Caused by a thickening of tissue in the aortic valve that restricts arterial blood flow from the heart to the rest of the body, the condition can cause chest pain, shortness of breath, dizziness and fatigue.  If left untreated, it is fatal.

In addition to Moore Regional’s recognition for superior cardiac care, the hospital received commendation as high-performing in the following adult specialties: diabetes and endocrinology, gastroenterology, geriatrics, nephrology, neurology and neurosurgery, pulmonology and urology.

For information on FirstHealth Moore Regional Hospital or the TAVR procedure at FirstHealth’s Reid Heart Center, visit www.firsthealth.org.