Weather | Sports | Forums | Comics | Classifieds | Calendar | Movies
Regional Medical Center Bayonet Point makes No. 27 on a list of top cardiac facilities.
By JENNIFER GOLDBLATT, Times Staff Writer
© St. Petersburg Times, published July 13, 2002
BAYONET POINT -- Regional Medical Center Bayonet Point has been named the nation's 27th best hospital for heart care and heart surgery, according to U.S. News & World Report.
This is the second time the 290-bed hospital has been in the top 50 of the magazine's annual rankings. In 1999, the hospital ranked 50th on the list for heart care and heart surgery.
"We were pleased to get on the ranking again and pleased to see that we moved significantly up the list," said Bob Conroy, the chief operating officer of the hospital, which is owned by HCA -- The Healthcare Co.
Since its last ranking in U.S. News, Regional Medical Center Bayonet Point has completed a $39-million expansion, which included the addition of a three-story cardiac care tower, an upgrade of the center's technology and a consolidation of the cardiac services into one area of the hospital.
The magazine named 205 hospitals from all over the nation in 17 specialties.
The list is due to appear in its July 22 issue, which will be on the newsstands Monday.
The hospitals' scores were based on reputation; the ratio of full-time, on-staff registered nurses to beds; the number of key technologies offered and other criteria.
Conroy said the hospital was already working on incorporating the award into its marketing program.
"I think that people look at it, because it's a third-party unbiased assessment," he said.
"It's just recognition of the hard work done by the staff and the physicians for taking care of the cardiology patients."
-- Jennifer Goldblatt covers business in Pasco County. She can be reached in west Pasco at 869-6229, or toll-free at 1-800-333-7505, ext. 6229. Her e-mail address is goldblatt@sptimes.com.