[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 155 (2009), Part 24]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 32648]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




             CONGRATULATING RAPIDES REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. RODNEY ALEXANDER

                              of louisiana

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, December 16, 2009

  Mr. ALEXANDER. Madam Speaker, today I stand before you proud to 
announce that the Rapides Regional Medical Center has been named one of 
the nation's 100 Top Hospitals for cardiovascular care. Moreover, this 
hospital, located in Alexandria, Louisiana, is the only hospital in 
Louisiana to make Thomson Reuters' 2009 list.
  As a premier teaching hospital, Rapides Regional Medical Center 
cultivates a community of care. The annual study examines the 
performance of 971 hospitals by analyzing clinical outcomes for 
patients diagnosed with heart failure and heart attacks, and for those 
who received coronary bypass surgery or interventions such as 
angioplasties.
  As noted by the Thompson Reuters Company, ``results show these top 
performers not only provided exceptional inpatient care, but also had 
significantly better post-discharge outcomes, including lower 
readmission rates for heart failure and heart attack patients as well 
as lower 30-day mortality rates for heart attack patients. This means 
that patients treated in hospitals with balanced high performance in 
cardiovascular care are more likely to have better results 30 days 
after discharge.''
  At a time when our healthcare system is under constant scrutiny by 
citizens and public servants alike, the team at Rapides Regional 
Medical Center provides hope and reassurance that in fact, the United 
States, and Louisiana, offer exceptional care.
  I join those whose lives have been touched by Rapids Regional Medical 
Center in saying congratulations and thank you for the dedication to 
excellence by each employee and doctor on staff.

                          ____________________