St. Mary’s Hospital has received the 2008 Excellence Award from the Delmarva Foundation, one of two hospitals in Maryland and Washington, D.C., to do so. SMH was recognized for “significant and sustained” quality improvement. Specifically, they achieved high marks for treating heart attacks, congestive heart failure and pneumonia patients – some of the national inpatient critical areas.

“This award is a testament to St. Mary’s Hospital’s commitment to quality care,” said President & CEO Christine R. Wray. “We are especially proud that everyone on our team has worked together so well to support our mission of becoming the leaders in healthcare for Southern Maryland.”

SMH staff achieved this award by providing the right care to the right patients at the right time, with more than 90 percent accuracy for three consecutive quarters in 2007. The data used to achieve this award is publicly reported and available on many websites, including Hospital Compare and the Maryland Health Care Commission’s website, more commonly called the “Maryland Hospital Report Card.”

The Delmarva Foundation is a nationally recognized leader in healthcare quality improvement and is Medicare’s Quality Improvement Organization for Maryland and the District of Columbia.