UPLAND, CA (June 23, 2010) – San Antonio Community Hospital’s emergency medical care has been found to be among the top 5% in the nation according to a new study released today by HealthGrades, the leading independent healthcare ratings organization. As a result, San Antonio Community Hospital (SACH) was presented with HealthGrades 2010 Emergency Medicine Excellence Award®.

Of the 4,900 hospitals examined for their mortality rates in 11 of the most common emergent conditions for Medicare patients, only 255 received this award. More notably, 26 other hospitals in the state of California were recognized for these superior patient outcomes.

The First Annual HealthGrades Emergency Medicine in American Hospitals® study found that as a group, SACH and the other award recipients had lower mortality rates for the 11 conditions studied. The mortality rates were risk-adjusted so that hospitals with sicker and older patients could be compared on equal footing with other hospitals.

“With the CDC showing that 50% of hospital admissions are now beginning with hospital emergency rooms, it’s more important than ever for hospitals to reach the level of excellence achieved by those in the top 5% of this study,” said Rick May, MD, a vice president with HealthGrades and co-author of the study. “Those living in a community with a top 5% hospital in emergency medicine should feel extremely confident that, should an emergency arise, they will receive top-notch care.”

“I am so proud of our team,” states Kevin Parkes, MD, Medical Director of SACH’s emergency department. “We have one of the busiest paramedic receiving centers in San Bernardino County, seeing over 70,000 patients a year. Our medical staff and nursing teams have established protocols that allow us to work together as a well-coordinated team, resulting in outstanding patient care. It starts in our emergency room, but the entire hospital has contributed to this award.”

“We’re honored to be recognized by HealthGrades. The clinical data supports our goal of always striving to provide excellent emergency care to area residents. It also supports our designation as a 100 Top Hospital in the nation. This is a great accomplishment for our staff who work so hard every day to give their best.”

In the near future, SACH plans to break ground on a new patient tower and emergency department. The new emergency department will be equipped with the latest technology and 52 treatment beds.

HealthGrades’ is recognized as the nation’s leading independent quality ratings organization that objectively evaluates how well hospitals are able to ensure adequate outcomes for their patients. The HealthGrades’ hospital ratings and awards reflect the track record of patient outcomes at hospitals in the form of mortality and complication rates and these ratings are based on data that hospitals submit to the federal government. No hospital can opt in or out of being rated, and no hospital pays to be rated.