Independence Health System Among America’s Best in New Rankings for Orthopedics From Healthgrades

Butler Memorial Hospital in Top 5% Nationwide for Outpatient Joint Replacement  

           GREENSBURG, PA, February 13, 2024 … National recognition for Independence Health System continues with newly released accolades for outpatient orthopedic surgery. Independence Health Butler Memorial Hospital has been identified as one of America’s 50 Best Hospitals for Outpatient Joint Replacement by Healthgrades, the leading resource consumers use to find a hospital or doctor. This achievement reflects continued dedication to clinical excellence across the health system and distinguishes Butler Memorial Hospital as one of the nation’s leading hospitals for outpatient joint replacement. Bulter Memorial is one of only two hospitals in Pennsylvania and the only hospital in Western Pennsylvania to receive the America’s 50 Best Hospitals for Outpatient Joint Replacement.  

            Western PA is defined as a 25-county area that includes Allegheny, Armstrong, Beaver, Bedford, Blair, Butler, Cambria, Clarion, Clearfield, Crawford, Elk, Erie, Fayette, Forest, Greene, Indiana, Jefferson, Lawrence, McKean, Mercer, Somerset, Venango, Warren, Washington and Westmoreland counties. 

           These latest ratings by Healthgrades reflect hospital-based outpatient orthopedics, specifically in Outpatient Total Knee Replacement, Outpatient Total Hip Replacement, Outpatient Rotator Cuff and Outpatient Back and Neck Surgery.  As one of America’s 50 Best Hospitals for Outpatient Joint Replacement, Independence Health Butler Memorial received a Five-Star rating in Outpatient Total Knee Replacement.   

           According to the American College of Rheumatology, nearly 800,000 total knee replacements and more than 450,000 hip replacements are performed annually in the United States, with arthritis a leading reason for joint replacement. 

           “Joint replacement surgery continues to grow year over year as our population ages,” noted Carol J. Fox, MD, FAAFP, Chief Medical Officer at Independence Health System.  “Total joint replacement is one of the safest and most reliable treatments in any area of medicine and we are gratified that the services we provide are not only beneficial to our patient population, but reflect our commitment to offering the highest quality specialty care. These latest rankings continue to demonstrate the value the hospitals of Independence Health System bring to our region.” 

           To identify the top-performing hospitals for outpatient joint replacement, Healthgrades analyzed patient outcomes at short-term acute care facilities nationwide that offer knee and hip replacement in an outpatient environment. Healthgrades’ analysis found that patients treated at hospitals that have been recognized for excellence in outpatient joint replacement have a demonstrably better chance at a smooth recovery than those treated at hospitals that were not recognized by Healthgrades. In fact, between 2020 and 2022, patients treated at hospitals receiving the America’s 50 Best Hospitals for Outpatient Joint Replacement Award™ had, on average, a 37.5% lower risk of experiencing a complication while in the hospital than if they were treated at hospitals that did not receive the award.  Statistics are based on Healthgrades analysis of data for years 2020 through 2022 and represent three-year estimates for Medicare patients only. For more information on how Healthgrades identifies the nation’s top hospitals for outpatient joint replacement, see the 2024 Outpatient Specialty Excellence Awards and Ratings Methodology. 

           “Butler Memorial Hospital exemplifies what it means to be a leader in outpatient orthopedics by delivering consistently superior outcomes across key outpatient procedures,” said Brad Bowman, MD, Chief Medical Officer and head of Data Science at Healthgrades. “Patients undergoing outpatient joint replacement at Butler Memorial Hospital should feel confident in their decision to seek care from a facility with top marks in their procedure.” 

            As outpatient surgical volumes continue to grow, Healthgrades offers the industry’s only outcomes-based outpatient ratings to help patients identify the best care for their needs. Consumers can visit Healthgrades.com to learn more about how Healthgrades measures hospital quality.   

                                                                                      ### 

Nationally recognized for quality care, Independence Health System comprises Butler Memorial, Clarion, Frick, Latrobe and Westmoreland Hospitals with a combined bed count of 925.  With more than 1,000 physicians and advanced practice providers and 7,300 employees, the System is now the third largest in western Pennsylvania serving a population base of 750,000 in a footprint spanning more than 10 counties.  
 
The System includes tertiary programs that are rated among America’s best for cardiac care and surgery by Healthgrades in its Top 100 designations. In similar fashion, the prestigious Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS) bestowed its top three-star rating. Historically, less than 10 percent of programs within the STS data base achieve this elite standing. The hospitals of Independence Health System also have earned a host of accolades from such prestigious outlets and sources as US News and World Report, Newsweek Magazine, the American College of Radiology, the American College of Cardiology, the American College of Surgeons, the Joint Commission, Leapfrog and the American Heart/Stroke Association. 

Locally owned and locally controlled, Independence Health System offers its patients low-cost, high-quality care across the care spectrum in such specialties as cardiology, cardiovascular and thoracic surgery, orthopedics and sports medicine, minimally invasive and robotic surgery, women’s health and obstetrics, emergency medicine, behavioral health and primary care. Its network of outpatient centers sees more than 1.2 million visits annually. The homecare division further supports patients at all stages of life with home health and hospice services.   
 
Independence Health System continues to change the healthcare landscape in western Pennsylvania by meeting patient needs through superb physician expertise, outstanding nursing, the latest in technology and programmatic depth. 

About Healthgrades 

Healthgrades is dedicated to empowering stronger and more meaningful connections between patients and their healthcare providers. As the #1 platform for finding a doctor and a leader in healthcare transparency, we help millions of consumers each month find and schedule appointments with their healthcare professional of choice and prepare for their appointments with best-in-class, treatment-focused content. 

Our health system, large group practice, and life sciences marketing solutions have been helping our partners reach and engage consumers who are on their way to the doctor for over 20 years. 

Healthgrades is part of RVO Health, a partnership between Red Ventures and Optum, part of UnitedHealth Group. RVO Health has the largest consumer health and wellness audience online across its brand portfolio, including Healthgrades, Healthline, Medical News Today, Greatist, Psych Central, Bezzy, and Platejoy which touch every part of the health and wellness journey. Each month, RVO Health helps more than 100 million unique visitors live their strongest and healthiest lives. 

Download PDF