November 25, 2005

Genesis Medical Center Is Named UnitedHealth PremiumSM Cardiac Specialty Center

Davenport, IA – Genesis Medical Center, Davenport has been designated a UnitedHealth PremiumSM cardiac specialty center, reflecting national recognition of the cardiac care Genesis provides.

“We are honored to receive this designation, which offers further evidence of the high standard of care we are proud to deliver every day,” said Leo Bressanelli, President and Chief Executive Officer, Genesis Health System.  “We are very pleased to measure favorably against nationally recognized benchmarks for the outstanding cardiac care we provide to our patients.”

The UnitedHealth Premium cardiac specialty centers program identifies hospitals nationwide that are leaders in providing cardiac care.  Select hospitals in the UnitedHealthcare network are invited to apply for designation.

The Genesis Heart Institute is a regional network of heart specialists treating patients from more than 12 counties, stretching from Sterling/Rock Falls, Ill. to Burlington, IA. The Institute serves as a link between heart specialists and other physicians throughout the region, providing patients new advances in detection, treatment and management of heart disease.

In 2004, Genesis Heart Institute cardiologists performed nearly 10,000 catheterization procedures, making its interventional program one of the largest in the country.

“The important designation is just one more reason why the residents of this region know that they will receive the best of cardiac care and services at Genesis,’’ said Sharon Timmons, R.N., Executive Director, Genesis Heart Institute.  “We are very proud and appreciative of the recognition.’’

Criteria for selecting UnitedHealth Premium cardiac specialty centers was developed with input from a panel of leading independent cardiology experts and based on published guidelines set by the American College of Cardiology, Society of Thoracic Surgeons, North American Society of Pacing and Electrophysiology, and Leapfrog Group, a coalition of more than 150 public and private organizations that provide health care benefits.

Among the program’s criteria:

• Staff Experience – The facility must have staff who have performed a minimum number of cardiac surgeries and invasive cardiology procedures during the past year.
• Breadth of Care – The facility must have proven experience in serving a broad range of cardiac specialties, including diagnostic procedures, cardiac surgeries, interventional procedures, and diagnosis and treatment for irregular heart rhythms.
• Depth of Care – The facility must have a record of performing a minimum number of cardiac procedures annually, including open-heart surgeries, and pacemaker and defibrillator implantations.
• Emergency Care – Emergency care cardiology staff must be in-house or on-call and available within a designated time.  The hospital must also track the timeliness of emergency care.
• Data Management and Reporting – The hospital must be able to track and report figures for mortality and morbidity for interventional procedures, as well as the number of procedures performed.