2021: A Year in Review

DEAR METHODIST HEALTHCARE FAMILY,

Taking a page from 2020, 2021 unfolded in ways we couldn’t predict. After welcoming a vaccine and quickly standing up on-site vaccination clinics, I think our hope for better days was renewed. But even with the promise of slowing the spread, much of our focus remained on managing this virus. As a system, we tested 103,018 people for COVID-19, of which 12,964 were positive, 10,298 were admitted to one of our hospitals, and 1,435 unfortunately expired from battling this terrible disease. I know COVID has consumed our airwaves, our conversations, and much of our thoughts over the last year, but it did not keep you from achieving great things. I would like to take a moment to reflect on your accomplishments and celebrate the numerous milestones and achievements.

Methodist Hospital was recognized as the Best Regional Hospital by the U.S. News and World Report for the third consecutive year, was the first hospital in the nation to implant a newly designed cardiac mechanical pump on a patient with severe heart failure as an alternative to transplantation, and hit record cardiovascular surgical/procedural volumes in aortic, vascular, heart transplant, and TAVR. They also expanded access to their emergency care with the addition of Methodist ER | Helotes, and continued their commitment to being an animal-friendly facility, welcoming Major, a facility dog designated to adult ICU care as well as Bambi, the first therapy horse in Texas.

Methodist Children’s Hospital, through the Rowan Windham Memorial Cereal Drive, donated $61,772 to the San Antonio Food Bank to ensure children were fed during the summer months. And Women’s Services had a record-setting year, breaking its record for number of babies delivered in a single year with 6,364 babies born. In August 2021, the hospital also broke its monthly birth record by 59 births, delivering a total of 643 babies! Women’s Services also launched a midwifery program and expanded its perinatal navigator program to guide high-risk maternal patients through the health care process. Methodist Hospital | Metropolitan was recognized as a “Leader in LGBT Healthcare Equality” by the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) Foundation for the 5th consecutive year and earned their 11th consecutive A Grade for Patient Safety by the Leapfrog Group. Additionally, they surpassed 500 Chronic Total Occlusion procedures in their cardiac catheterization lab; they’re the only hospital in South Texas to have performed this many procedures!

Methodist Hospital | Stone Oak received a Maternal and Neonatal Level III Designation from the State of Texas and was recognized by the American Heart Association with the Stroke Gold Plus Get With The Guidelines Award for their outstanding outcomes with stroke patients. They were also the first site to launch the Methodist Care Coordination program to better connect emergency room patients with MHSaligned specialists in orthopedic and cardiovascular services. In the first three months of the program, their ER patient experience scores tripled, the followup appointment rate for these patients doubled, and generated $150,000 in incremental revenue!

Methodist Hospital | Northeast added a 30-bed Progressive Care Unit with private patient rooms to enhance patient experience, was recognized by YourSA Readers’ Choice as the “Best Hospital” in San Antonio, and expanded their ER services by opening Methodist ER | Nacogdoches to better serve the Northeast side of San Antonio and surrounding communities.

Methodist Hospital | Texsan was the first and only hospital in San Antonio to receive a 3-Star rating by the Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS), placing them in the top 7.5% of heart programs in the U.S. The hospital also earned an A Grade for Hospital Safety from the Leapfrog Group and was recognized by The American College of Cardiology (ACC) for its demonstrated commitment to comprehensive, high-quality cardiovascular care. In addition, Texsan was awarded the HeartCARE Center National Distinction of Excellence designation based on meeting accreditation criteria and through ongoing performance registry reporting.

Methodist Hospital | Specialty and Transplant

is now the only program in history to have performed over 200 living and 200 deceased kidney transplants! They earned an A Grade for Hospital Safety by the Leapfrog Group and were also awarded the Pathways to Excellence Designation by The American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) for their commitment to creating a positive work environment that empowers and engages staff.

Methodist Hospital | Atascosa received a new name to better reflect the community they serve, achieved their 6th consecutive Leapfrog Safety Grade A, and acquired their first robot, allowing them to provide minimally-invasive surgical options to the community.

As clearly evidenced, even a global pandemic could not slow you down, though I know it was indescribably challenging. I am extremely grateful to be part of this wonderful Methodist Healthcare family and look forward to all we will accomplish for our community and each other this year.

Blessings on you and your work, Allen Harrison President and CEO