[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 156 (Friday, October 31, 2003)]
[Senate]
[Page S13708]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         THE NATION'S HOSPITALS

  Mr. ALLARD. Mr. President, hospitals in the United States have 
enormous responsibility. The Nation's hospitals care for patients, 
perform surgeries, train interns, research cures to diseases, and 
provide millions of dollars annually for the uninsured. Their services 
improve Americans' health and lives and better our communities. I laud 
their service to Colorado and the Nation.
  Recently Solucient, a company that provides health care data to 
improve health care results, published its list of the Nation's 100 top 
hospitals. Four of Solucient's designees are Colorado hospitals: Saint 
Joseph Hospital in Denver, Rose Medical Center in Denver, Swedish 
Medical Center in Englewood, and Lutheran Medical Center in Wheat 
Ridge. Solucient determines its selection of top hospitals according to 
hospitals' consistent and superior quality care, financial performance, 
and efficient delivery of care. According to Solucient, the Top 100 
hospitals treat more, and sicker, patients with better survival rates 
and fewer complications.
  I am pleased to acknowledge Solucient's selection of Colorado 
hospitals for its quality service, dedication, and commitment to 
providing quality health care for Colorado, the Nation, and the world. 
First, Solucient has recognized Saint Joe's Hospital in Denver in its 
studies of orthopedic and intensive care units. According to the 
hospital, Saint Joe delivers more babies than any other Colorado 
hospital, serves more patients in gastroenterology, general surgery, 
pulmonology, cardiac care, nephrology and rheumatology than any other 
acute care hospital in the Denver metropolitan area, and for the past 5 
years the hospital has cared for more cardiology and open heart surgery 
patients than any other acute care hospital in the metro area.
  Second, Exempla Lutheran Medical Center specializes in cardiology, 
oncology, orthopedic services, and women's health care. Lutheran 
Medical also provides special care to the community through its 
community clinics, special programs and services for the elderly, and 
hospice care. In addition, Lutheran Medical Center's Emergency 
Department has the second highest patient load in the Denver 
metropolitan area.
  Third, with a mission of commitment to patients, Rose Medical Center 
in Denver asserts a reputation for high quality health care and quality 
customer service. Rose Medical Center specializes in women's health 
services, general surgery, internal medicine, pediatric care, and 
emergency services. Rose Medical Center also partners with 
philanthropic organizations to help offer services to the Colorado 
community. Further, Rose Medical Center is the official health care 
provider for the Denver Nuggets professional basketball team and the 
Colorado Avalanche professional hockey team.
  Fourth, Solucient recognized a teaching hospital in Englewood, 
Colorado, Swedish Medical Center, which has six ``Centers of 
Excellence:'' the Colorado Neurological Institute, adult & pediatric 
trauma services, advanced radiology capabilities, cardiology services, 
cancer treatment services, and women's and children's services. In 
addition, Swedish is a Level I Trauma Center and is a leading referral 
center for neurotrauma. Swedish also offers services for the elderly, 
emergency medical service education, and has a Family Medicine 
Residency Program.
  I am pleased these Colorado hospitals have been recognized as leaders 
in quality, efficiency, and financial responsibility in institutional 
health care. I laud their work and am expectant for their continued 
high quality of care and progress for Colorado and the Nation.

                          ____________________