JPS Health Network in Fort Worth was ranked No. 1 in the country by Washington Monthly Magazine, based on its contribution to the public good via patient outcomes, civic leadership, and value of care.
JPS was joined in the top 10 by Parkland Health and Hospital System, which ranked ninth in the nation. Washington Monthly’s annual report serves as a counter to the U.S. News and World Report rankings, which ranks hospitals without factoring in cost or service to vulnerable communities. “What Americans should be asking is, why can’t more hospitals be like JPS?” Washington Monthly editors wrote. “Shouldn’t every person in this country have access to a hospital that provides high-quality care, welcomes all comers regardless of wealth and insurance status, and contributes to the larger health of the community?”
The Lown Institute partnered with Washington Monthly to create the system, which has been ranking hospitals for ten years. Rather than focus on elite, high-end care, it measures efficient care to the uninsured and vulnerable as well as leadership in the community.
JPS scored 85 of higher out of 100 in several of the ranking’s sub-categories, including clinical outcomes, community benefit, inclusivity, and overall value of care. The ranking took a hit in patient safety and pay equity, which both scored in the fifties, and patient satisfaction which scored 29.8 out of 100.
“The people who come to work at JPS every day don’t get up in the morning hoping to win awards or accolades,” said health network President and CEO Robert Earley in a statement. “They come here because they’re dedicated to providing the best care they can to the people of Tarrant County, regardless of their social or economic status. This recognition belongs to our team of 7,200 of the most dedicated people you could ever meet who make sure every day that the people of our community get the care they need and they deserve.”
Parkland scored high in value of care, community benefit, and inclusivity, though pay equity (18.8) and patient satisfaction (20.4) were less than stellar. Texas Health Harris Methodist in Cleburne also made it to the top 20 at 18.
“Imagine, however, if hospitals were motivated to rise in our rankings,” Washington Monthly editors wrote. “They would compete to bring in patients from all levels of society, not just the well insured. They would find ways to get their staffs to stop performing unnecessary procedures and tests. They would try to reduce the pay differential between hospital workers and chief executives. And they would put more of their earnings into improving the conditions that affect the health of their communities. If more hospitals had done these things before the pandemic, how many Americans might have been in healthier shape to fend off the virus, or survive if they did get it?”
The full ranking can be found here and the methodology can be found here.
