ABQ Times

The University of New Mexico Hospital has received national recognition in three specialty care areas, distinguishing it as one of the country’s leading hospitals in clinical care.

Healthgrades awarded UNM Hospital a 2024 Cranial Neurosurgery Excellence Award™, placing it among the top 10% of hospitals in the nation for cranial neurosurgery. Healthgrades Specialty Excellence Awards recognize leading hospitals across 18 specialty care areas. Additionally, UNM Hospital achieved three five-star ratings for cranial neurosurgery, treatment of gastrointestinal (GI) bleed, and treatment of respiratory failure.

“We are honored to receive these designations from Healthgrades and they are really a testament to the amazing work and dedication of our clinicians and staff,” said Kate Becker, CEO of UNM Hospital. “Our team works hard every day to ensure the best care possible for all our patients.”

UNM Hospital is the only hospital in New Mexico to achieve these specific awards by Healthgrades:

- The Cranial Neurosurgery Excellence Award in 2024

- A Five-Star rating for Treatment of Respiratory Failure in 2024

- A Five-Star rating for Treatment of GI Bleed in 2024

Healthgrades evaluates hospitals based on clinical outcomes: risk-adjusted mortality and complications. The 2024 assessment evaluated patient mortality and complication rates for 31 common conditions and procedures at approximately 4,500 hospitals nationwide to identify top performers.

UNM’s critical care team has been a Healthgrades five-star recipient for treatment of respiratory failure for four consecutive years (2021-2024). Rohini McKee, MD, chief quality and safety officer at UNM Health System, emphasized that quality and safety are priorities at UNM Hospital. She noted that these rankings provide confidence to patients regarding their expected level of care.

“If I was a patient, it would help give me a level of confidence in the care that I know I'm going to receive at UNM Hospital,” McKee said. “It does not surprise me that we have received the respiratory failure award four years in a row. One of the things we do best here at UNM Hospital is critical care."

McKee highlighted that effective systems are crucial for treating critically ill patients efficiently when needed most. Michelle Harkins, MD, associate chief of the Center for Adult Critical Care at UNM Health System, echoed this sentiment by emphasizing their collaborative approach involving over 50 doctors and nearly 20 advanced practice providers specializing in critical care subspecialties.

“The Healthgrades really speak to our collaborative approach and our processes for timely care; from escalating the care level up for patients if they're getting sicker and working together to improve outcomes,” Harkins said.

Harkins concluded by stating that while being admitted to an ICU can be daunting, being treated at UNM Hospital provides significant advantages due to their multidisciplinary team approach.

“We are a multidisciplinary team caring together for the patient,” Harkins said. “While it's scary to be in the ICU... it's also the best place because of our team approach and resources available.”