[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 175 (Thursday, December 3, 2015)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1711]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            RECOGNIZING PARKLAND HEALTH AND HOSPITAL SYSTEM

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                       HON. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, December 3, 2015

  Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I would like to 
recognize Parkland Health and Hospital System for being named a Top 
Hospital by the Leapfrog Group in 2015. Based on the Leapfrog Group's 
annual hospital survey measuring three significant areas of hospital 
care, Parkland earned honors for the first time as one of 62 top urban 
hospitals across the country.
  Parkland Health and Hospital System opened in 1894 and is now one of 
the largest public hospital systems in the country. Averaging at one 
million patient visits annually, Parkland recently expanded to a brand 
new, state-of-the-art 2.8 million-square-foot campus with 862 single-
patient rooms Constantly growing, Parkland includes a Level I Trauma 
Center, the second largest civilian burn center in the U.S., a Level 
III Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, 20 community-based clinics, 12 
school-based clinics, and numerous outreach and education programs 
Parkland is also the primary teaching hospital for the University of 
Texas Southwestern Medical Center.
  The Leapfrog Group is a national nonprofit group that advocates 
transparency in quality and safety of care in U.S. hospitals. The 
Leapfrog Hospital Survey collects and reports hospital performance so 
that patients can make informed decisions regarding where they receive 
care. The survey measures three areas of hospital care: how patients 
fare, resource use, and management structures established to prevent 
errors. Earning this honor means that Parkland has lower infection 
rates, better health outcomes, decreased length of stay, and fewer 
hospital readmissions.
  Given Parkland's track record, especially their recent transfer of 
626 patients from their old facility to the new Parkland Memorial 
Hospital without incident or interruption in patient care, I believe 
Parkland deserves to be named a top hospital. The move was conducted on 
foot via the Mike Myers Sky Bridge that connects the facilities and was 
planned with precision for months prior. This is just one prime example 
of Parkland's many contributions to Dallas County.
  Congratulations to Parkland on this well-deserved recognition. I am 
proud to have Parkland in my district and I congratulate the board, 
clinicians, and staff on this hard-earned honor.

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