Nov 2, 2009 10:30 pm US/Central
Local Hospital Has Least Surgical Complications
Study: Advocate Lutheran General Hospital In Park Ridge Has Lowest Rate Of Post-Surgical Complications In Country
PARK RIDGE, Ill. (CBS) ―
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Advocate Lutheran General Hospital in Park Ridge has the lowest rate Of post-surgical complications in the country, according to a study.
CBS
We've all heard the phrase, "The surgery was a success, but the patient died." All too often that's due to complications following surgery. CBS 2 Chief Correspondent Jay Levine shines the spotlight on one suburban hospital making news for what doesn't happen after surgery.
While all hospitals are working hard to reduce post-surgical complications, a study of 200 hospitals done by the Chicago-based American College of Surgeons shows Advocate Lutheran General in Park Ridge with the lowest percentage in the nation.
John Gleason, 58, of Chicago, may not have been aware of the results of that study when wheeled into surgery at Lutheran General Monday evening; poor circulation caused by diabetes requiring amputation of a portion of his leg.
"They caught it in time where I don't have to have the whole leg cut off," Gleason said.
His hopes?
"When I leave, I'll be walking," Gleason said. "I've had other surgeries in other hospitals and I wasn't satisfied."
Gleason's confidence is reflected in findings of this year's American College of Surgeons study, which included 10 hospitals here in Illinois.
With big national names like Johns Hopkins and Mayo Clinic, as well as local superstars Northwestern and Rush University Medical Center.
Northwestern and Northwest Community said they ranked near the middle of hospitals. Others either couldn't or wouldn't tell us.
But hospital number "2035" in this anonymous rating is Lutheran General.
Advocate Lutheran General's Chief of Surgery, Dr. John White confirmed: "We have achieved the lowest surgical complication rate in the country."
What's their secret? Talk to the members of John Gleason's surgical team, like nurse Omar Ilagan.
"This is the last stop before surgery, so at this point we go over his medical history and make sure we didn't miss anything," Ilagan said as he checked Gleason's sugar levels.
"It is more a reflection of teamwork than specific factors," Dr. White said. "It's everybody that participates in the patient's care."
A big part is major emphasis on lowering the risk of infection. But it's also psychological.
"They're more relaxed," Gleason's anesthesiologist Dr. Marissa Lowenthal said. "And their bodies also don't mount as much of a stressed response."
A few hours after surgery, John Gleason was out of recovery and back in his room, vowing to return soon to his job as a foreman in the City of Chicago's Bureau of Electricity.
By not releasing any names, the study is obviously not a guide for patients, but an attempt to learn from those with the best surgical results.
And if David beats the Goliaths, so be it.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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