Providence St. Mary Medical Center in Apple Valley ranked among best for stroke care

Providence St. Mary Medical Center in Apple Valley recently announced a third-place ranking for best stroke care among 100 hospitals in California.

The report came from an analysis released by Healthgrades, the leading resource connecting consumers, physicians and health systems.

Additionally, Healthgrades recently recognized St. Mary as one of the best hospitals in the U.S. for stroke care for the second year in a row.

Providence St. Mary CEO Randall Castillo called the new ranking and award testaments to the hospital’s staff and physicians, whose dedication to high-quality health care in the High Desert remains unwavering despite ongoing challenges associated with COVID-19.

“Our caregivers and doctors — and all health care professionals in the High Desert and beyond — have been navigating a nightmare for more than two and a half years thanks to this pandemic,” said Castillo, in a written statement. “Through stress, fatigue, burnout and tears, they have proven their resolve to a watching world. This recognition from Healthgrades signifies their commitment, no matter the circumstance, to the health and well-being of our community. We are honored that their work continues to stand among the best in California and the country.”

For the state-ranking analysis, Healthgrades evaluated clinical performance for nearly 4,500 hospitals nationwide, focusing on eight key specialties across a mix of chronic, urgent and planned clinical areas, the company said.

Related: Providence St. Mary/Kaiser partnership approved, bringing possible trauma center to Victorville

Hospitals recognized by Healthgrades as among the top-ranked in their state are providing patients with measurably superior clinical outcomes, the company’s analysis showed.

Access to quality information can inform and empower consumers in their decision-making process and direct them to the best care, according to Healthgrades.

The company boasts its commitment to delivering the most scientifically accurate and comprehensive information about doctors and hospitals — with data insights not available anywhere else.

“Being recognized among the top 3 in California for stroke care is a great achievement that speaks to Providence St. Mary’s ongoing commitment to high-quality care,” said Dr. Brad Bowman, Chief Medical Officer and Head of Data Science, of Healthgrades. “Hospitals receiving a top state ranking have much to be proud of as their deep medical expertise has built a track record of delivering positive outcomes for their patients.”

Bowman added that for almost 25 years, Healthgrades’ mission has been to provide consumers with clear and accessible information to make more informed health care decisions.

“Patients can feel confident knowing that they have access to top-ranked care for stroke care at Providence St. Mary,” Bowman said.

Including the 2022 America’s 100 Best Hospitals for Stroke Care Award, St. Mary has received eight Specialty Clinical Quality Awards from Healthgrades since 2020.

The Apple Valley hospital also earned Healthgrades’ America’s 250 Best Hospitals Award in 2021 and 2020 after placing in the top 5% in the nation for clinical excellence.

Providence St. Mary has operated as the only Primary Stroke Center in the High Desert since 2017. The hospital became a Stroke Receiving Center — also the only one locally — the following year.

As a Primary Stroke Center accredited by the Joint Commission and certificated by the American Heart Association, St. Mary has an acute stroke team and a neurologist accessible 24 hours a day, seven days a week, allowing for immediate response when a stroke is suspected.

Minutes can significantly impact the outcome of a patient who has suffered a stroke, which makes readily available staff and technology crucial to delivering care, according to Providence St. Mary CMO Dr. Charlie Abraham, MD, MBA, CHCQM, FACP.

“By offering a robust stroke-care experience, we can provide faster care with expert guidance, knowledge and framework that can lead to a more optimal recovery for the patient,” Abraham said. “Ranking third in California for stroke care means that High Desert residents can rest easily knowing they live in proximity to some of the most qualified caregivers and doctors working today.”

St. Mary, an uncertain future

Providence St. Mary officials in January said conditions set by the state Attorney General’s office altered a proposed partnership with Kaiser Permanente, making it “impossible to move forward” with the planned construction of a new joint venture hospital in Victorville.

The announcement by Providence said both health care providers are “disappointed” by the restrictions and have shared their concerns with the AG’s office and remain hopeful they can find a path forward.

Both organizations have determined the changes mandated by the AG office limit the ability of both parties to effectuate their partnership, Providence officials said.

“We are disappointed the Attorney General’s office has made our vision difficult to pursue under the current restrictions, which put at risk the future operation,” said Providence Southern California Chief Executive Kevin P. Manemann in a written statement. “We are strongly committed to the High Desert community and are currently evaluating next steps.”

Since Providence’s announcement, officials have not provided comments on those “next steps” to save the aging St.Mary facility that must undergo costly seismic upgrades to continue operating as a hospital.

Providence officials have said St. Mary will close if it does not meet the more stringent seismic requirements expected to take effect in 2030.

They also added that bringing the facility into compliance would be financially and operationally infeasible.

The Apple Valley hospital was dedicated in November 1956 as St. Mary Desert Valley Hospital, then a 29-bed acute and maternity care facility.

Proposed hospital

In June 2021, Providence announced plans to create a joint venture to build a new Providence St. Mary Medical Center on Amargosa Road, south of Bear Valley Road in Victorville.

The proposed 260-bed hospital would be located about 10 miles from the current facility on Highway 18 in Apple Valley.

Providence officials said they sought a partner to build a technologically advanced hospital in Victorville as they faced costly seismic upgrades and modernization of the 212-bed hospital in Apple Valley.

Providence and Kaiser officials anticipated a 2026 opening for the new hospital, but their plan depended upon regulatory review and approval by the AG’s office, the Daily Press previously reported.

Visit healthgrades.com for more information on how the company measures hospital quality.

Daily Press reporter Rene Ray De La Cruz may be reached at 760-951-6227 or RDeLaCruz@VVDailyPress.com. Follow him on Twitter @DP_ReneDeLaCruz.

This article originally appeared on Victorville Daily Press: Apple Valley's St. Mary Medical Center ranks in top 3 for stroke care