Aiken Regional Medical Centers ranked as high performing hospital for heart failure and stroke

MAX WHITE, Aiken Standard, S.C.
·2 min read

Aug. 9—Aiken Regional Medical Centers recently received the highest award a hospital can earn for U.S. News & World Report's Best Hospitals Procedures & Conditions ratings.

Aiken Regional was named a 2023-24 U.S. News & World Report High Performing Hospital for Heart Failure and Stroke in recognition of care that was "significantly better than the national average, as measured by factors such as patient outcomes," according to a news release.

"I'm exceptionally proud and honored to be a part of a team that continues to receive national recognition," said Matthew Merrifield, chief executive officer at Aiken Regional Medical Centers.

U.S. News & World Report states the rankings are a tool that can help patients and their families find sources of skilled inpatient care.

According to the U.S. News & World Report's website, the Best Hospitals procedure and condition ratings are focused on more specific and commonly required individual procedures and conditions rather than broader specialties like cardiology and orthopedics.

The website also states that based on a patient's health situation it might make more sense to go to a closer average hospital within the patient's insurance network than a high-performing hospital that is out-of-network and far away.

"With safety as our top priority, we are dedicated to delivering high-quality, compassionate care to each and every patient and family member in our facility, every time," Merrifield said.

Aiken Regional is also recognized by The Joint Commission and the American Stroke Association/American Heart Association as a Certified Primary Heart Attack Center and as a Certified Primary Stroke Center, among other recognitions.

The ratings should be taken only as a starting point and all care decisions should be decided with medical professionals, according to the website.

"We will continue to advocate for and prioritize safety while maintaining the highest quality of care for our patients, their family, our team and our community," Merrifield said.