Headwaters Health Care Centre has one of the lowest average patient mortality rates in Canada, scoring on average between 69 and 79 for each of the past three years (2004-2007).

A study released last Thursday by the Canadian Institute for Health Information (CIHI), ranked the nation's hospitals (excluding Quebec, which collects different data) based on number of deaths that occurred in acute care hospitals. A score of 100 suggests the death rate is equivalent to the national average, whereas a score of under 100 indicates a lowerthan average in-hospital death rate and a score greater than 100 indicates a higher than average rate.

The Hospital Standardized Mortality Ratio is calculated using 65 major illnesses that account for 80 per cent of deaths that occur while in hospital. The report compares the actual number of deaths in hospital to the expected number of deaths, based on factors such as age, type of admission, diagnosis and length of stay.

"We are extremely pleased with the results of this study," said Dr. Jeff McKinnon, Chief of Staff at Headwaters Health Care Centre. "We will of course continue to look at all our practices as they relate to patient care and safety in an ongoing effort to reduce preventable deaths and maintain the community's confidence in our hospital."

Hospitals have for the past several years been provided with their mortality rates by CIHI, but this is the first time death rates have been released to the general public.

"The complexities of health care are not reflected in just one statistic. However, the hospital mortality rate is an important indicator of patient quality and safety," said Bob Baynham, President and CEO of Headwaters. "We are very pleased that the rates that were revealed last week confirm that we are doing a very good job when compared to our peers."

In its ongoing efforts to provide excellent, patientcentred care, the hospital participates in the provincial Safer HealthCare Now! program and carries out ongoing studies and initiatives to ensure and improve quality and patient safety.

In all cases, the statistics exclude palliative care patients. The Headwaters scores were as follows: 2003-2004, 94; 2004- 2005, 79; 2005-2006, 65; 2006-2007 (based on the first three quarters of the year), 69.