Intermountain Medical Center in Murray is the first hospital in Utah – and only the second in the United States – to use an advanced MRI imaging system currently available to help support doctors improve diagnosis for heart and cancer patients.

GE HealthCare’s SIGNA Sprint Elite MRI is an innovative imaging system that utilizes advanced technology and AI software that can reduce scan times and produce clearer images for doctors to enhance diagnoses for heart and cancer patients.

The new GE HealthCare MRI machine began operation at Intermountain Medical Center earlier this year and is already helping Intermountain doctors improve diagnosis and treatments.

“A moving heart with blood flowing through it is one of the hardest things to get clear images of without taking long periods of time in an MRI machine,” said Brent Wilson, MD, an Intermountain Health cardiologist at Intermountain Medical Center. “These clearer images allow us to use new approaches to mapping out injured areas of heart tissue which improves our treatments. This is a big leap forward in cardiac MRI, and we’re excited to be one of the first in the United States using it.”

This innovative system has built in AI technology that can help reduce signal to noise ratio, which is a level of interference reducing image quality. This technology can help enhance the clarity of MRI images, which was not available on Intermountain Health’s previous MRI machines.

“We're grateful to collaborate with Intermountain Health to bring SIGNA Sprint Elite MRI to clinicians and patients in Utah,” said Joel Christensen, enterprise client director at GE HealthCare. “Our goal is to help clinicians get the information they need to make timely, confident care decisions for patients facing serious conditions such as heart disease and cancer. This work reflects our shared focus on advancing high-quality, patient-centered care in Utah.”

Because this MRI technology can provide clearer imaging, it has the potential to significantly reduce the time needed for patients to be scanned in the machine, which means the hospital can serve more patients.

“Faster scans mean reduced wait times, and patients don’t have delays in getting the diagnosis and care that they need,” said Amy Warnick, MRI coordinator at Intermountain Medical Center.

Another important benefit for cardiac patients is the ability to take scans without having to have patients hold their breath for extended periods to get a cleaner image, which is what happens now.

“Asking someone to hold their breath doesn’t seem like a big deal, but for a person with heart issues it can be taxing on the body,” said Warnick. “This new machine isn’t just giving us exceptional images but is putting patient comfort as a major focus and we’re already seeing a difference.”

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Patients from four hospitals whose lives have been transformed through heart transplantation joined with physicians, nurses, caregivers, and healthcare leaders on Tuesday to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the UTAH Cardiac Transplant Program, one of the nation’s most unique and successful heart transplant programs.

The milestone event commemorated 40 years of collaboration, innovation, and life-saving care made possible through a unique cooperative partnership among heart transplant teams at Utah’s four heart transplant hospitals: Intermountain Medical Center, Intermountain Primary Children’s Hospital, University of Utah Health, and the George E. Wahlen VA Medical Center.

Since performing the program’s first heart transplant in March 1985, the UTAH (Utah Transplantation Affiliated Hospitals) Cardiac Transplant Program has performed 2,074 life-saving heart transplants, providing hope and a second chance at life to thousands of patients and families throughout Utah and across the nation.

It’s one of the most unique and successful programs of its kind in the United States.

Rather than competing, the four hospitals work together to share expertise, resources, research, and clinical talent with a singular focus on improving outcomes for adult, pediatric, and veteran patients with advanced heart failure and those in need of a heart transplant.

As the only heart transplant program in the Mountain West, the UTAH Cardiac Transplant Program has become nationally recognized not only for its clinical excellence, but also for its uncommon model of cooperation among four independent health institutions.

“For 40 years, this consortium has represented something truly special: the power of collaboration,” Rami Alharethi, MD, medical director of the Heart Transplant Program at Intermountain Medical Center in Murray. “These four institutions, each bringing unique strengths, expertise, and commitment, came together around a common purpose – to provide state of art care for patients with advanced heart failure across the Mountain West and throughout the United States. This collaboration has been the foundation of our success.”

The consortium’s collaborative model is unlike most transplant programs in the United States. Physicians, surgeons, advanced practice providers, nurses, researchers, and support staff from the four member hospitals work together to evaluate patients, develop treatment plans, conduct research, and provide coordinated care before and after transplantation.

This partnership allows patients to benefit from the collective expertise of some of the nation’s leading heart failure and transplant specialists while maintaining access to care within their own health system.

By pooling resources and knowledge, the program can offer highly specialized services, accelerate the adoption of new treatments, and ensure patients receive the best available care regardless of where they enter the system.

"Four decades ago, the UTAH Cardiac Program was founded on the idea that collaboration could transform advanced heart care,” said Josef Stehlik, MD, medical director of the Heart Transplant Program at University of Utah Health. “Today, that spirit of innovation drives groundbreaking research in heart transplantation, mechanical circulatory support, and heart recovery that helps patients far beyond our state borders. Families travel to us from across the Mountain West and the nation because the transplant breakthroughs made in our labs and clinics directly translate into longer, healthier lives."

For many transplant recipients, the 40^th anniversary of the consortium serves as a reminder of the precious gift of time.

“Every transplant represents more than a medical procedure,” said Ashwin Lal, MD, a pediatric cardiologist for University of Utah Health/Intermountain Primary Children’s Hospital. “Each transplant represents more birthdays celebrated, milestones reached, families kept together, and futures made possible through the generosity of organ donors and the dedication of multidisciplinary care teams through the UTAH Cardiac Transplant Program.”

Over the past four decades, the UTAH Cardiac Transplant Program has helped establish Utah as a global leader in heart transplantation and advanced heart failure care. Its physicians have pioneered innovations in transplant medicine, mechanical circulatory support, and heart failure treatment, improving care not only for patients in Utah but for patients around the world.

“We’re just one of six VA facilities in the nation that provide heart transplants, and we are honored to serve veterans through our partnership in the UTAH Cardiac Transplant Program,” said Stavros G. Drakos, MD, co-chief of Heart Failure & Heart Transplant at the George E. Wahlen VA Medical Center in Salt Lake City. “This collaboration has touched the lives of veterans from across the country, ensuring they receive the combined skill, dedication, and resources of all four medical teams and helps us fulfill VA’s mission to care for those who have served our nation’s military.”

As the program enters its fifth decade, clinicians remain committed to expanding access to advanced heart failure therapies, advancing research and innovation, and strengthening the collaborative model that has defined the program since its inception in 1985.

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Intermountain Health's Radiation Exposure Screening and Education Program (RESEP), also known as the Downwinders Clinic, will host free public meetings across Utah to provide information about the recently reinstated Radiation Exposure Compensation Act (RECA) and help individuals determine whether they or a loved one may qualify for compensation.

The educational meetings will explain changes made to the federal program, including newly eligible geographic areas and expanded access for individuals affected by radioactive fallout from Cold War-era nuclear testing and uranium industry activities.

Attendees will have an opportunity to:

• Learn about the reinstated and expanded RECA program.
• Determine whether they may qualify for compensation.
• Receive applications and educational materials.
• Learn about the online application portal.
• Ask questions about eligibility and the claims process.

Individuals who have completed an application may also schedule a one-on-one review appointment to ensure documents are complete before submission.

The term "downwinder" refers to individuals who were exposed to radioactive fallout from atmospheric nuclear testing conducted at the Nevada Test Site. Many affected individuals and families live throughout Utah, Nevada, Arizona, Idaho and New Mexico.

Under the reinstated law, eligible individuals may qualify for compensation through the federal RECA program.

Public Meeting Schedule:

Thursday, July 30, 2026
St. George
Intermountain St. George Regional Hospital Cancer Center
Building 7, Classrooms A, B and C
600 S. Medical Center Drive
4-5 p.m.

Tuesday, Aug. 4, 2026
Provo/Orem
Utah Valley Hospital
Sorenson Tower, Building 4
Second Floor, Classrooms 1, 2 and 3
395 Cougar Blvd.
2-3 p.m.

Tuesday, Aug. 4, 2026
Salt Lake City
Intermountain Medical Center
Doty Family Education Center, Building 6
West Auditorium
5121 S. Cottonwood St.
6-7 p.m.

Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2026
Logan
Logan Public Library
285 N. Main St.
1-2 p.m.

Friday, Aug. 7, 2026
Ogden
McKay-Dee Hospital
Thomas Dee Auditorium
4401 Harrison Blvd.
Noon-1 p.m.

Application Review Appointments (Appointment Required)

Friday, July 31, 2026
St. George Regional Hospital Cancer Center
Downwinders Clinic Office
1-5 p.m.

Thursday, Aug. 6, 2026
Intermountain Medical Center
Transformation Center, Room 103
5026 S. State St.
10 a.m.-6 p.m.

Friday, Aug. 7, 2026
McKay-Dee Hospital
Thomas Dee Auditorium
2-6 p.m.

To schedule an application review appointment or for additional information, call the Radiation Exposure Screening and Education Program (Downwinders Clinic) at 435-251-4760.

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Intermountain Health emergency medicine doctors are urging Utahns to take precautions this weekend as temperatures across the state are expected to reach or exceed 105 degrees, increasing the risk of serious heat-related illnesses.

Doctors met with news media on Friday at Intermountain Medical Center in Murray to outline important steps for Utahns to take over the weekend to protect themselves from the extreme heat that is expected in Utah Friday through Monday.

They are encouraging everyone to take steps to stay cool, stay hydrated and check on family members, neighbors and friends who may be vulnerable to extreme heat.

“High temperatures can quickly become dangerous, especially for people spending extended periods outdoors or those without access to air conditioning,” said Angela Allen, MD, an emergency medicine physician at Intermountain Medical Center. “Heat-related illnesses can develop rapidly and, if left untreated, can become life-threatening, especially for the very young and older people.

Dr. Allen says by planning ahead, checking on those at higher risk who are unable to leave their homes, and taking simple precautions, Utahns can stay safe and healthy during this period of extreme heat.

“Extreme heat can be one of the deadliest weather hazards in the United States,” she said. “When temperatures climb into the triple digits it’s important for everyone to take heat warnings seriously and know the signs of heat-related illness.

How to Protect Yourself During Extreme Heat

Dr. Allen recommends the following steps for people to follow to reduce their risk of heat-illnesses:

        • Drink plenty of water throughout the day, even if you do not feel thirsty.

        • Avoid alcohol and excessive caffeine, which can contribute to dehydration.

        • Limit outdoor activities during the hottest part of the day, typically between 10 am and 6 pm.

        • Wear lightweight, loose-fitting, light-colored clothing.

        • Take frequent breaks in air-conditioned buildings or shaded areas.

        • Use sunscreen and wear a wide-brimmed hat when outdoors.

        • Never leave children, older adults or pets in a parked vehicle, even for a short period. Temperatures inside a vehicle can rise to dangerous levels within minutes.

        • Check on neighbors, relatives and friends, especially those who live alone or may need assistance.

Know the Warning Signs of Heat Exhaustion and Heat Stroke

People should be aware of symptoms of heat-related illness and seek medical attention, when necessary, said Dr. Allen.

Symptoms of heat exhaustion can include heavy sweating, weakness or fatigue, dizziness or fainting, headache, nausea or vomiting, and cool, pale or clammy skin.

“If someone shows signs of heat exhaustion, move them to a cool place, provide water if they are conscious and loosen or remove unnecessary clothing,” she advised.

Symptoms of heat stroke may include body temperature of 103 degrees or higher, confusion, altered mental state or loss of consciousness, hot, red or dry skin, rapid pulse, and seizures.

Call 911 immediately if someone is experiencing symptoms of heat stroke, said Dr. Allen. While waiting for emergency responders, move the person to a cooler location and attempt to lower their body temperature.

Who Is Most at Risk?

Dr. Allen says certain groups of people are more vulnerable to extreme heat and should take extra precautions. 

They include:

        • Older adults, especially those 65 and older

        • Infants and young children

        • Pregnant women

        • People with chronic medical conditions, including heart disease, lung disease, diabetes and kidney disease

        • People taking medications that affect hydration or temperature regulation

        • Outdoor workers, including construction crews, landscapers, agricultural workers and first responders

        • Athletes and individuals participating in outdoor recreation

        • People without access to air conditioning

        • Individuals experiencing homelessness

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Intermountain Health neurologists are celebrating a major milestone: the 100th surgery of a groundbreaking implantable device that is proving to be a major success in reducing seizures in patients with patients with focal epilepsy.

The device – responsive neurostimulation (RNS), which is manufactured by Neuropace – uses electrodes placed on the brain surface or in deeper brain areas to monitor brain waves 24/7.

When the device detects abnormal activity, it quickly sends an impulse that stops it from spreading and becoming a seizure. Some studies have shown an 82 percent reduction in the number of seizures for patients.

Doctors at Intermountain Medical Center in Murray, where the device has been implanted, are already seeing life-changing results for patients with epilepsy – most of whom didn’t respond to other treatments in the past.

“This is making an incredible difference in the lives of people who have suffered with seizures for years when other treatments haven’t worked,” said Jeff Bigelow, MD, medical director of EEG systems at Intermountain Health and a neurologist at Intermountain Medical Center who specializes in the treatment of patients with epilepsy and seizure disorders. “Seeing these levels of improvement in seizure control and overall quality of life is very encouraging for both us and our patients.”

Long term studies show 3 out of 4 patients implanted with the device experience a 50 percent or greater reduction in seizures. Other studies have shown the average reduction in seizures reached up to 82 percent after three years or more. The device’s battery lasts up to 10 years.

Whitney Wilkinson of Sandy has been dealing with epilepsy since she was 12 years old and experienced years of treatments and multiple surgeries to try and manage her seizures.  

Five years ago, neurosurgeons at Intermountain Medical Center told her about the RNS device and how it could help her. Since then, she’s seen a dramatic reduction in her seizures.

“I literally have a computer in my brain that monitors activity 24/7, learns to detect seizures, and stops them milliseconds before happening,” said Wilkinson. “Thanks to this and other treatments from my doctors I feel confident traveling the world on my own and living a normal life with epilepsy.”

Wilkinson can also upload data from her device so that doctors can adjust it in real time to better control her seizures. All of this takes place without neurosurgeons having to go back into the brain surgically.

Since gaining FDA approval in 2013, RNS devices have been used to treat focal epilepsy, which is a seizure disorder that occurs in a localized part of the brain and can spread causing more severe symptoms.

Early signs of focal epilepsy can look like twitching of a limb or staring off in confusion.

Generalized epilepsy starts in both parts of the brain and can cause more severe symptoms like convulsions and losing consciousness. After the recent success of RNS devices, the FDA is now reviewing whether it can be used for those conditions.

“After seeing the success in the reduction of the symptoms our patients, I’m hopeful this could be an option for any patient with difficult to treat forms of epilepsy,” said Dr. Bigelow. “For many patients the fear of now knowing when or how bad a seizure can be gives them a constant anxiety in life and we want to change that.”

Dr. Bigelow notes the devices do take time to work to their full potential. They must monitor symptoms and adjust to fit a patient’s specific needs, which can take one to three years.

The Intermountain Epilepsy Clinic is part of the Intermountain Medical Center Neurosciences Institute. The program specializes in diagnosing and treating epilepsy and seizure disorders in adolescents and adults, and is a Level 4 Adult Epilepsy Center, the highest designation awarded by the National Association of Epilepsy Centers (NAEC).

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Nine Intermountain Health hospitals were named to Modern Healthcare’s 2026 100 Top Hospitals list, based on an independent national quality analysis conducted by Premier, Inc.

Intermountain Medical Center (Murray, Utah) was ranked as one of the nation’s top teaching hospitals and was the only Utah hospital recognized in that category.

Intermountain St. George Regional, Intermountain McKay-Dee (Ogden, Utah), and Intermountain Utah Valley (Provo, Utah) hospitals were ranked among the nation’s top 100 hospitals in the Large Community Hospital category list. Intermountain Logan Regional Hospital was also ranked in the Medium Community Hospital category.

Intermountain Layton Hospital topped the Small Community Hospital list, being joined by Intermountain American Fork Hospital, Intermountain Alta View Hospital (Sandy, Utah), and Intermountain Riverton Hospital.

In addition, Intermountain St. George Regional Hospital, Intermountain Utah Valley Hospital, and Intermountain Layton Hospital were further honored as Everest Award Winners, a designation for hospitals that show both top performance and strong improvement over time on Premier’s balanced scorecard.

“We are gratified by this recognition because it shows the incredible work and dedication of our caregivers to provide high-quality care,” said Rob Allen, president and CEO of Intermountain Health. “This recognition validates that we are delivering on our mission of helping people live the healthiest lives possible and our vision to be a model health system.”

Modern Healthcare and Premier collect data from nearly 2,600 hospitals nationwide and apply a data-based methodology to identify top performers using a scorecard of clinical, operational, financial, and patient experience measures.

The results are supported by detailed insights and national benchmarks hospitals can use to improve care, strengthen financial sustainability, and improve outcomes. Measures include inpatient mortality and complication indexes, average length of stay, operational efficiency, and patient outcomes.

To see the full Modern Healthcare / Premier Top Hospitals List for 2026, go to https://www.modernhealthcare.com/awards/mh-premier-100-top-hospitals-2026/.

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U.S. News & World Report has named 26 Intermountain Health hospitals to its 2026 Best Hospitals for Maternity Care for mom and baby outcomes, education, and patient satisfaction.

The 26 Intermountain hospitals earned a high performing designation in maternity care for uncomplicated pregnancies in areas such as cesarean sections in lower-risk pregnancies, vaginal births after cesarean-section (VBAC) rates, newborn severe complications rates, birthing friendly and education practices, and outcome disparities based on race/ethnicity, among other measures.

Intermountain Health has more hospitals named by U.S. News & World Report for 2026 than any other health system in the country.

Intermountain hospitals cited by U.S. News & World Report for 2026 include:

• Intermountain Health American Fork Hospital (Utah)
• Intermountain Health Cassia Regional Hospital (Burley, Idaho)*
• Intermountain Health Cedar City Hospital (Utah)*
• Intermountain Health Delta Community Hospital (Utah)*
• Intermountain Health Garfield Memorial Hospital (Panguitch, Utah)*
• Intermountain Health Heber Valley Hospital (Utah)*
• Intermountain Health Holy Rosary Hospital (Miles City, Mont.)
• Intermountain Health Intermountain Medical Center (Murray, Utah)
• Intermountain Health Layton Hospital (Utah)
• Intermountain Health LDS Hospital (Salt Lake City)
• Intermountain Health Logan Regional Hospital (Utah)
• Intermountain Health Lutheran Hospital (Wheat Ridge, Colo.
• Intermountain Health McKay-Dee Hospital (Ogden, Utah)
• Intermountain Health Orem Community Hospital (Utah)
• Intermountain Health Park City Hospital (Utah)
• Intermountain Health Platte Valley Hospital (Brighton, Colo.)
• Intermountain Health Riverton Hospital (Utah)
• Intermountain Health Saint Joseph Hospital (Denver)
• Intermountain Health Sanpete Valley Hospital (Mt. Pleasant, Utah)*
• Intermountain Health Sevier Valley Hospital (Richfield, Utah)*
• Intermountain Health Spanish Fork Hospital (Utah)
• Intermountain Health St. George Regional Hospital (Utah)*
• Intermountain Health St. James Hospital (Butte, Mont.)*
• Intermountain Health St. Mary's Hospital (Grand Junction, Colo.)
• Intermountain Health St. Vincent Hospital (Billings, Mont.)
• Intermountain Health Utah Valley Hospital (Provo, Utah

"This recognition is meaningful because it reflects what families experience at the bedside: safe, consistent, high quality, compassionate care," said Sean Esplin, MD, a maternal fetal medicine physician and senior medical director of women’s health at Intermountain Health.

"Our clinical program has worked across hospitals to align on proven evidence-based care practices to lower cesarean-section rates in low‑risk pregnancies, thoughtfully support VBAC deliveries, reduce newborn complications, elevate patient education, and advance equity so every mother and baby can expect excellent outcomes," he added.

U.S. News also recognizes Maternity Care Access Hospitals, which provide maternity services to communities that might otherwise have inadequate access to maternity care, sometimes referred to as "maternity care deserts." The report identified 147 critical access hospitals in total, with nine Intermountain hospitals making the list (noted "*" above).

Intermountain  Health is determined to provide the highest quality care to pregnant and postpartum patients and their babies, by improving outcomes and access to care within its six-state region. For example, Intermountain recently announced an innovative care program for pregnant and postpartum women with hypertension, and published a study identifying hypertension risks during pregnancy.

Receiving this designation is evidence of the unwavering dedication of our nurses, physicians, midwives, and teams who show up for mothers and babies every day to deliver high‑quality care—and a reminder to keep improving together, for every family we serve,” added Dr. Esplin.

For more information regarding Intermountain Health pregnancy and maternity services, please visit https://intermountainhealthcare.org/services/womens-health/pregnancy.

Click here for more information about the U.S. News & World Report Best Hospitals for Maternity Care.

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Intermountain Health has once again earned recognition as one of the nation’s safest health systems for patients, according to  the Leapfrog Group, a national healthcare safety and quality measurement organization that recently  unveiled its 2025 Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grades. 

This national recognition highlights Intermountain Health’s commitment to the safety of its patients and caregivers by prioritizing processes to prevent patient harm and medical errors.  

Of the 20 Intermountain hospitals evaluated by Leapfrog, 14 received an “A” while six Intermountain hospitals earned a “B” rating, underscoring Intermountain’s consistent safety performance across all communities and a commitment to continuous improvement. 

The Leapfrog survey considered anything that could bring possible harm to patients, such as infections, medical errors, accidents, or injuries. The Leapfrog survey also examines processes and tools that hospitals have in place to prevent harm in the first place. 

It then assigns an “A” through “F” grade, based on the hospital’s performance. 

2025 "A" Safety Grade hospitals include:

• Intermountain Health American Fork Hospital (Utah)
• Intermountain Health Cedar City Hospital (Utah)
• Intermountain Health Good Samaritan Hospital (Lafayette, Colo.)
• Intermountain Medical Center (Murray, Utah)
• Intermountain Health LDS Hospital (Salt Lake City)
• Intermountain Health Logan Regional Hospital (Utah)
• Intermountain Health Lutheran Hospital (Wheat Ridge, Colo.)
• Intermountain Health McKay-Dee Hospital (Ogden, Utah)
• Intermountain Health Park City Hospital (Utah)
• Intermountain Health Riverton Hospital (Utah)
• Intermountain Health Spanish Fork Hospital (Utah)
• Intermountain Health St. George Regional Hospital (Utah)
• Intermountain Health St. Vincent Regional Hospital (Billings, Mont.)
• Intermountain Health Utah Valley Hospital (Provo, Utah)

 “These results speak to the dedication of every caregiver and leader at Intermountain, and to our shared commitment to being national leaders in clinical excellence,” said Cara Camiolo, MD, chief quality & safety officer for Intermountain Health. “Whether a hospital achieved an ‘A’ or made meaningful gains this cycle, each story points to the same aspiration: progress happens when every person, in every role, owns their part in advancing safety, reliability, and better outcomes for our patients.” 

The Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade uses up to 22 national measures of patient safety from CMS, NHSN, and the Leapfrog Hospital Survey to assess how well hospitals protect patients from preventable harm and medical errors. The survey methodology has been peer reviewed and published in the Journal of Patient Safety. Intermountain Health caregivers are continually training for all aspects of patient safety in healthcare. 

There are also protocols in place that encourage caregivers to speak up and raise concerns if they see something which could put someone at risk, noted Dr. Camilio. 

To see the full Leapfrog list of hospitals and their grades, go to https://www.hospitalsafetygrade.org/. 

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Dieciséis hospitales de Intermountain Health han recibido premios de liderazgo en calidad 2025 Bernard A. Birnbaum, MD, de Vizient por demostrar excelencia en la atención clínica y al paciente de alta calidad.

Tres hospitales, Intermountain Health Fillmore Community, Intermountain Park City e Intermountain St. George Regional, obtuvieron el primer puesto a nivel nacional dentro de su categoría.

Vizient, una destacada empresa de mejoras en el desempeño en la atención médica, clasificó a los hospitales de Intermountain como los de mejor desempeño en la atención médica en su Estudio anual de calidad y responsabilidad, en el que se analiza la información de 1220 hospitales de todo el país. En el estudio, se midió la calidad de la atención al paciente en función de seis factores: seguridad del paciente, mortalidad, eficacia, eficiencia, enfoque en el paciente y variación en la atención.

“Estos premios confirman que las prioridades con las que se compromete Intermountain (seguridad, alta fiabilidad, calidad y el enfoque centrado en el paciente) no solo son aspiraciones, sino también realidades que se dan en todo nuestro sistema”, expresó Cara Camiolo, MD, directora de calidad y seguridad de Intermountain Health. “Este reconocimiento es el resultado directo de la dedicación y el trabajo duro de nuestros empleados de primera línea y gerentes que brindan atención de alta calidad”.

Los hospitales de Intermountain Health obtuvieron una clasificación en las siguientes categorías:

Centro médico académico integral

• Intermountain Medical Center:  puesto 4

Hospital de acceso crítico 

• Intermountain Health Fillmore Community Hospital: puesto 1
• Intermountain Health Cassia Regional Hospital: puesto 6
• Intermountain Health Heber Community Hospital: puesto 11

Centro médico de atención compleja

• Intermountain Health Saint Joseph Hospital: puesto 13

Hospital comunitario

• Intermountain Health American Fork Hospital: puesto 2
• Intermountain Health LDS Hospital: puesto 6

Centro médico grande de atención compleja y especializada

• Intermountain Health St. George Regional Hospital: puesto 1
• Intermountain Health McKay-Dee Hospital: puesto 4
• Intermountain Health Utah Valley Hospital: puesto 13

Hospital comunitario pequeño

• Intermountain Health Park City Hospital: puesto 1
• Intermountain Health Layton Hospital: puesto 2
• Intermountain Health Sevier Valley Hospital: puesto 4
• Intermountain Health Spanish Fork Hospital: puesto 9
• Intermountain Health Cedar City Hospital: puesto 16
• Intermountain Health Alta View Hospital: puesto 18

En el estudio, se consideran las mediciones de la base de datos clínicos de Vizient y se incluye la información de desempeño de la encuesta de Evaluación del consumidor de hospital sobre los profesionales y los sistemas de atención médica y la Red de seguridad de atención médica nacional de CDC.

Con el estudio de calidad y responsabilidad de Vizient, los hospitales y los sistemas de salud participantes pueden comprender su desempeño frente a sus pares e identificar estructuras y procesos relacionados con el alto rendimiento en la calidad y la seguridad en un amplio espectro de actividad de atención al paciente. El periodo de reconocimiento incluye el trabajo realizado entre el 1 de julio de 2024 y el 30 de junio de 2025.

Para ver la lista completa de hospitales de este año, haga clic aquí.

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Esta contribución tan significativa nace del programa “Step for a Cause” de Intermountain Health por parte de profesionales de la salud, el cual es una iniciativa designada a promover el bienestar interno y, al mismo tiempo, fomentar la participación de la comunidad.

A través del mes de marzo, los profesionales de la salud de Intermountain Medical Center participaron con entusiasmo en un reto de pasos en todo el campus, acumulando millas para beneficiar a una causa vital para la comunidad. Como parte de su compromiso al bienestar de los empleados y a dar a la comunidad, Intermountain Medical Center se comprometió a comprar un par de zapatos por cada 50 millas que los profesionales de la salud registraron en el mes de marzo.

La gran participación y la dedicación de los profesionales de la salud de Intermountain Medical Center tuvo un resultado extraordinario: cientos de profesionales de la salud registraron casi 53,700,000 pasos (aproximadamente más de 26,500 millas), lo cual superó con creces las expectativas iniciales.

“Estamos muy agradecidos por la generosidad de Intermountain Health y sus empleados”, dijo Jennifer Covington, superintendente de Murray School District. “Esta donación de más de 475 pares de zapatos marcará una diferencia tangible en las vidas de nuestros estudiantes. Tener calzado adecuado es esencial para su comodidad, confianza y habilidad en participar por completo en las actividades escolares. Esta colaboración ciertamente ejemplifica como la colaboración comunitaria puede impactar positivamente a nuestros estudiantes”.

Esta iniciativa no solo promovió la actividad física entre los profesionales de la salud de Intermountain Medical Center, sino que también proporcionó una oportunidad significativa de conexión directa con la comunidad local. Intermountain Health da mucha importancia a la creación de una cultura de salud y a beneficiar a las comunidades a las que sirve.

“Creemos en apoyar el bienestar tanto de los profesionales de la salud como de las comunidades a las que servimos”, dijo Brian Pendleton, jefe de enfermería de Intermountain Medical Center. “Nuestro desafío 'Step for a Cause' fue una manera fantástica de animar a nuestros empleados a tener hábitos saludables y al mismo tiempo abordar una necesidad crítica para los estudiantes en Murray. Estamos encantados con los resultados y nos enorgullece colaborar con Murray Education Foundation y Murray City School District para garantizar que más niños tengan acceso a artículos fundamentales que les ayudarán a progresar”.

Murray Education Found también ha jugado un papel clave en la coordinación del esfuerzo y se encargará de la distribución de los zapatos a los estudiantes en Murray City School District.

Un nuevo estudio publicado en Journal of Perinatology, está ayudando a evitar las transfusiones de sangre en bebés prematuros gracias a una nueva investigación y colaboración entre investigadores de Intermountain Health y University of Utah.

Timothy Bahr, MD, neonatólogo e investigador clínico de Intermountain Health, colaboró con Robert Christensen, MD, y Robin Ohls, MD, de University of Utah Health, a explorar la dosis y frecuencia necesarias de una medicación llamada darbepoetina (darbe), la cual estimula la producción de glóbulos rojos en bebés prematuros.

Los bebés prematuros a menudo sufren de niveles de glóbulos rojos bajos (anemia), lo cual puede contribuir a varias complicaciones tales como el retraso en el desarrollo y la dificultad para respirar.

Se han utilizado inyecciones subcutáneas de darbe para tratar, de manera eficaz, la anemia causada por nacimiento prematuro y estimular la producción de glóbulos rojos en bebés prematuros, para así reducir la necesidad de transfusiones de glóbulos rojos en Estados Unidos en los últimos 20 años.

El objetivo del estudio fue refinar la dosis y frecuencia de darbe en estos bebés vulnerables, para brindar beneficios de salud óptimos, junto con el número menor de inyecciones subcutáneas necesarias.

El Dr. Bahr y sus colaboradores, quienes han estado al frente de la investigación en el tratamiento de anemia en bebés prematuros, condujeron su estudio en Intermountain Medical Center en Murray y en Intermountain Valley Hospital en Provo.

El estudio analizó dos horarios de dosis diferentes: inyecciones una vez a la semana, y una cada dos semanas.

Los resultados fueron prometedores.

“Encontramos que, mientras las dosis semanales de darbe incrementaban la producción de glóbulos rojos levemente, ambos horarios resultaron similares en cuanto a beneficios para la salud en los bebés”, dijo el Dr. Bahr. “Esto significa que administrar Darbe cada dos semanas sería una opción viable, reduciendo así el número de inyecciones que estos bebés necesiten”.

“Administrar menos inyecciones puede resultar en una experiencia más llevadera para los bebés prematuros y sus padres, y también podría, potencialmente, disminuir los gastos farmacéuticos y de atención médica”, añadió.

De acuerdo con neonatólogos, cuando darbe aumenta los niveles de glóbulos rojos a niveles más normales en bebés prematuros, estos tienen una menor probabilidad de necesitar transfusiones de sangre.

Algunos bebés prematuros solo necesitan inyecciones de darbe, mientras que otros pacientes recién nacidos en estado más crítico también pueden llegar a necesitar una transfusión de sangre para ayudarles a mejorar sus probabilidades de supervivencia en la unidad de la UCI neonatal.

“Las transfusiones de sangre se pueden realizar de manera segura y pueden salvar la vida de bebés prematuros, pero conllevan ciertos riesgos. Si podemos reducir la necesidad de transfusiones de sangre en bebés prematuros, también podemos reducir el riesgo de complicaciones que pueden suceder después de una transfusión de sangre”, dijo el Dr. Bahr.

Según el Dr. Bahr, la tasa de transfusiones de sangre en bebés prematuros en las unidades UCI neonatales de Intermountain Health está bastante por debajo del promedio nacional.

Durante los últimos 20 años, Intermountain ha utilizado darbe y ha continuado su investigación para hallar las mejores prácticas para esta medicación, lo cual es parte del esfuerzo en reducir el número de transfusiones necesarias en bebés prematuros.

“La eliminación de transfusiones de sangre innecesarias en Intermountain Health o la ‘responsabilidad con las transfusiones’, es muy parecida a nuestros esfuerzos en cuanto a la responsabilidad con los antibióticos, la cual promueve el uso responsable de antibióticos y reduce el uso innecesario y mejora la atención del paciente y los resultados”, dijo el Dr. Bahr.

“Los resultados de este estudio de investigación ofrecen un enfoque potencialmente nuevo en la administración de darbepoetina a bebés prematuros, proporcionando un equilibrio entre el tratamiento efectivo y el beneficio de realizar menos intervenciones médicas”, dijo Elizabeth O’Brien, MD, directora médica principal de la salud neonatal en Intermountain Health. “Esta es una de las muchas maneras en las que Intermountain está trabajando para mejorar la salud y el bienestar de los bebés prematuros y brinda una atención más avanzada y compasiva para estos pacientes tan pequeños y vulnerables”.

Intermountain Primary Children´s Hospital tiene la UCI neonatal de nivel IV más destacada en la zona Mountain West, e Intermountain tiene otros 17 hospitales adicionales (10 en Utah) con unidades UCI neonatales.

Los profesionales de la salud de los 20 hospitales de Intermountain Health que tienen unidades de parto en Utah, tienen acceso a interconsultas con neonatólogos virtuales las 24 horas del día, siete días a la semana. Intermountain Health está nacionalmente reconocido por la habilidad única de ofrecer telemedicina neonatal de alto nivel a hospitales rurales.

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A new study published in the Journal of Perinatology is helping premature babies avoid blood transfusions, thanks to new research and collaboration between researchers at Intermountain Health and the University of Utah.

Timothy Bahr, MD, an Intermountain Health neonatologist and researcher, collaborated with Robert Christensen, MD, and Robin Ohls, MD, from University of Utah Health, to explore the dosage and frequency needed of a medication called darbepoetin (darbe), which boosts red blood cell production in premature infants.

Premature babies often suffer from low red blood cell counts (anemia), which can contribute to various complications such as developmental delays and difficulty breathing.

Subcutaneous injections of darbe have been used to effectively treat anemia of prematurity and boost red blood cell production in premature infants, to help decrease the need for red blood cell transfusions in the United States for the past 20 years.

The goal of the study was to refine the dosage and frequency of darbe to these vulnerable babies, so it provides optimal health benefits, along with the minimum necessary number of subcutaneous injections.

Dr. Bahr and his collaborators, who have been at the forefront of research on treatment for anemia in premature babies, conducted their study at Intermountain Medical Center in Murray and Intermountain Utah Valley Hospital in Provo.

The study tested two different dosing schedules: injections once a week and once every two weeks.

The results were promising.

"We found that while weekly doses of darbe increased red blood cell production slightly more, both schedules resulted in similar overall health outcomes for the babies," said Dr. Bahr. "This means that giving Darbe every two weeks could be a viable option, reducing the number of injections these infants need.”

“Fewer injections can lead to a more comfortable experience for premature babies and their parents, and it also could potentially lower healthcare and pharmacy costs,” he added. 

According to neonatologists, when darbe improves red blood cell counts to more normal levels in premature infants, they are less likely to need a blood transfusion.

Some preemies need only darbe injections, while more severe newborn patients may also need a blood transfusion to help them be more likely to survive their stay in a neonatal ICU.

“Transfusions can be done safely and can be lifesaving for preemies, but they do come with some risks. If we can reduce the need for blood transfusions in preemies, we can also reduce their risk of complications which can occur after a blood transfusion,” said Dr Bahr.

According to Dr. Bahr, the transfusion rate of premature infants in Intermountain Health neonatal ICUs is well below the national average.

Intermountain’s use of darbe and its ongoing research into best practices for the medication over the last 20 years are all part of an effort to reduce the number of transfusions preterm babies require.

“Eliminating unnecessary blood transfusions at Intermountain Health or ‘transfusion stewardship’ is much like our antibiotic stewardship efforts, which promote responsible use of antibiotics and reduces unnecessary use and enhances patient care and outcomes,” said Dr. Bahr.

“This research study’s findings offer a potential new approach to administering darbepoetin to premature babies, providing a balance between effective treatment and the comfort of fewer medical interventions,” said Elizabeth O’Brien, MD, senior medical director for neonatal health at Intermountain Health. “This is one of the many ways Intermountain is working to enhance the health and well-being of premature infants and provide more advanced and compassionate care for these very young and vulnerable patients.”

Intermountain Primary Children’s Hospital is home to the leading Level IV Neonatal ICU in the Mountain West, and Intermountain has 17 other hospitals (10 in Utah) with a neonatal ICU. 

Providers at all 20 Intermountain Health hospitals with labor and delivery units in Utah have access to virtual neonatologists 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Intermountain Health is nationally recognized for the unique ability to provide this high-level of neonatal telemedicine to rural hospitals.

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Tres hospitales de Intermountain Health han sido clasificado como número uno en sus categorías por Premier y la revista Fortune como parte de su lista nacional de los 100 mejores hospitales para 2025. 

El Intermountain Medical Center de Murray ocupa el primer lugar en el país entre los principales hospitales de enseñanza. El Intermountain St. George Regional Hospital está clasificado como el mejor hospital comunitario grande del país y el Intermountain Layton Hospital como el mejor hospital comunitario pequeño. 

Además, otros seis hospitales Intermountain de Utah se encuentran entre los mejores centros del país en la lista de los 100 mejores hospitales de Premier/Fortune de este año. 

“Gracias al increíble trabajo y dedicación de nuestros cuidadores y a la atención de alta calidad que ofrecen, muchos de nuestros centros de Intermountain Health se encuentran entre los mejores hospitales del país, incluidos tres que ocupan el primer puesto en sus categorías”, afirma Rob Allen, presidente y director ejecutivo de Intermountain Health. “Este reconocimiento es muy gratificante porque demuestra que estamos cumpliendo nuestra visión de ser un sistema de salud modelo que se compromete a ayudar a las personas de las comunidades que atendemos a vivir de la manera más saludable posible”. 

La clasificación de Premier/Fortune se realiza mediante el análisis de los datos disponibles al público general de casi 2600 hospitales en todo el país para determinar los centros que tienen mejor desempeño en cuanto a resultados clínicos, experiencia del paciente, eficiencia operativa y bienestar económico. 

En la investigación que se realizó para elaborar la clasificación se reveló que, si todos los hospitales del país funcionaran al mismo nivel que los clasificados entre los 100 mejores, se salvarían 331,000 vidas más, habría 611,000 complicaciones menos y se ahorrarían $15,000 millones en costos de hospitalización. 

La lista anual de los 100 mejores hospitales de Premier/Fortune se divide en varias categorías. Hay 40 puestos para hospitales de enseñanza y los 60 restantes son para hospitales comunitarios. 

Otros hospitales de Intermountain Health que se encuentran en la lista de los 100 mejores son los siguientes: 
- Intermountain Logan Regional Hospital 
- Intermountain Alta View Hospital en Sandy 
- Intermountain American Fork Hospital 
- Intermountain Cedar City Hospital 
- Intermountain McKay-Dee Hospital 
- Intermountain Riverton Hospital 

Para ver la lista completa de los Mejores hospitales de 2025 según Premier/Fortune, haga clic aquí. 

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Three Intermountain Health hospitals are ranked number one in their categories by Premier and Fortune Magazine as part of their Top 100 Hospitals national rankings for 2025.

Intermountain Medical Center in Murray is ranked first in the nation among major teaching hospitals. Intermountain St. George Regional Hospital is ranked as the nation’s top large community hospital, and Intermountain Layton Hospital is ranked as the top small community hospital.

Additionally, six other Intermountain hospitals throughout Utah are ranked among the nation’s best facilities on this year’s Premier/Fortune Top 100 hospitals list.

“It’s because of the incredible work and dedication of our caregivers and the high-quality care they provide that so many of our Intermountain Health facilities are considered among the nation’s premier hospitals, including three ranked number one in their categories,” said Rob Allen, president and chief executive officer of Intermountain Health. “This recognition is especially gratifying because it shows that we are delivering on our vision to be a model health system that’s committed to helping people in the communities we serve live the healthiest lives possible.”

The Premier / Fortune rankings are compiled by analyzing publicly available data from nearly 2,600 hospitals across the nation to determine top performing facilities in clinical outcomes, patient experience, operational efficiency, and financial health.

Research for the rankings found that if all the nation’s hospitals operated at the same level as these facilities ranked among the Top 100 hospitals, 331,000 additional lives would be saved, there would be 611,000 fewer patient complications, and $15 billion in-patient costs could be saved.

The annual Premier / Fortune Top 100 Hospitals list is broken down into multiple categories with 40 being for teaching hospitals, and the remaining 60 slots for community hospitals.

Other Intermountain Health hospitals making this year’s Top 100 list are:

• Intermountain Logan Regional Hospital
• Intermountain Alta View Hospital in Sandy
• Intermountain American Fork Hospital
• Intermountain Cedar City Hospital
• Intermountain McKay-Dee Hospital
• Intermountain Riverton Hospital

To see the full Premier / Fortune Top Hospitals List for 2025, click here.

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Each April, the United States recognizes National Donate Life Month, bringing attention to organ, eye, bone marrow and tissue donation and transplantation.

Intermountain Health is joining other health systems and transplant programs across the country in celebrating Donate Life Month, a time dedicated to raising awareness about the critical need for organ donors and honoring the selfless individuals who have given the gift of life.

“Donate Life Month is a good time to share with your family your decision to be a donor, check the organ donor box when you renew your driver’s license, and consider the healing gift of sharing a living organ through the gift of transplantation,” said Brian Cook, MD, Intermountain Health transplant surgeon. “The impact of organ donation extends far beyond the recipients, positively affecting their families and their communities.”

In fact, organ transplantation saves over 28,000 lives each year and every donor has the potential to save up to eight lives.

Across the country, 100,000 people are currently on the transplant list, waiting for a kidney, liver, pancreas, heart or lungs. Every nine minutes another person is added to the wait list and every day 13 people die waiting for a transplant.

In Utah, more than 900 people are on that waiting list.

Intermountain Health is a premier organ transplant provider in the Intermountain West, providing heart, kidney, liver, pancreas and bone marrow transplants to people in need across the region.

“The generosity of our community has been instrumental in saving hundreds of lives,” said Dr. Cook. “Their willingness to say, ‘Yes,’ to organ donation has been a cornerstone of our success.”

The Intermountain Health Adult Transplant program, based at Intermountain Medical Center in Murray, transplanted 489 organs in 2024 – 189 liver, 267 kidney, 29 heart, and 4 kidney/pancreas. This is a growth of over 200% over the last five years and with this more than twice as many lives in the Mountain West have been saved.

These organ transplants profoundly impacted and transformed the lives of hundreds, thanks to short wait times and utilization of new technology, which allows for greater access for those in need of an organ, even those living hundreds of miles away.

In fact, Intermountain Health’s kidney transplant program has one of the shortest wait-times in the nation, averaging just three months to a year from active listing to transplant, compared to many other programs in the country that have wait times that average 3-5 years.

Intermountain’s liver transplant program also boasts one of the shortest wait times in the nation, with a median wait time to transplant after listing of 22 days.

Intermountain performs living kidney and liver donor transplants to patients, helping reduce the amount of time they spend waiting for an organ.

Living Donation

Living donations saves thousands of lives each year. Living donation is when a living person donates an organ or part of an organ to a person in need of a transplant.

Living kidney donation is possible because people can live a healthy life with one functioning kidney.

Living liver donation is possible because the liver consists of two lobes, one of which can be donated to someone in need. Both lobes will regenerate to normal size and function generally within 6-12 weeks.

“Every living donor transplant that occurs removes one person from the transplant waiting list and ensures that the next person on the list won’t have to wait as long for a deceased donor transplant, said Donald Morris, MD, nephrologist and Intermountain Health’s kidney transplant medical director. “Living donor kidneys also tend to have greater longevity than those transplanted from a deceased donor - greatly improving the recipient’s quality of life.”

National Kidney Registry

Intermountain’s Transplant Services at Intermountain Medical Center participates in the Kidney for Life program with the National Kidney Registry, which helps get the best optimally matched organ donors and recipients across the nation.

The Kidney for Life program is a unique nationwide organ donor exchange program that facilitates paired exchanges, a process in which an organ donor donates their kidney to a recipient other than their loved one in exchange for a compatible kidney for their friend or loved one.

In 2024, more than 7,000 transplant were made possible by living donation.

“Living donors are true heroes,” said JoAnna Stephens, Intermountain Health adult transplant director. “We celebrate and honor these heroes for their incredible generosity, selfless acts of kindness, and life-saving contributions.”

Become a Live Organ Donor – Save a Live

To sign up to become a living organ donor go to: www.IntermountainHealthcare.org/DonateLife

Don’t forget to share with your family your decision to share the gift of life. And don’t forget to check the organ donation box when you renew your license or go to the Yes Utah! website to register today.

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NOTE TO MEDIA: Images and video available upon request. 
 

Tres hospitales de Intermountain Health están clasificados entre los 50 mejores hospitales cardíacos del país para 2025, según un nuevo estudio nacional de hospitales cardíacos en Estados Unidos. 

Premier Inc. publicó su estudio anual y clasificaciones de los 50 mejores hospitales cardiovasculares del país para 2025. Intermountain Medical Center en Murray, Intermountain McKay-Dee Hospital en Ogden e Intermountain St. George Regional Hospital están entre los 50 hospitales con mejor desempeño en cuanto a calidad de atención, resultados y experiencia del paciente, entre otros criterios. 

Según el estudio, si los hospitales de todo el país tuvieran calificaciones semejantes a los que figuran en la lista de los 50 mejores, podría significar 14,000 (catorce mil) muertes menos, 28,600 (veintiocho mil seiscientos) pacientes menos de derivación y angioplastia que sufren complicaciones y ahorrar más de 1.5 billones de dólares en costos de hospitalización en 2025. 

“Tener tres hospitales de Intermountain Health en esta lista demuestra el enfoque que tenemos en todo el sistema para brindar la mejor atención cardiovascular a los pacientes de todas las comunidades a las que prestamos servicios”, afirmó el Dr. Blake Gardner, director médico sénior del programa cardíaco y vascular de Intermountain Health. 

Las clasificaciones de los hospitales se dividen en tres categorías: Intermountain McKay-Dee Hospital ocupa el primer lugar en la nación entre los hospitales docentes sin contar con un programa de residencia cardiovascular, Intermountain Medical Center ocupa el tercer lugar entre los hospitales con un programa de residencia cardiovascular e Intermountain St. George Regional Hospital ocupa el cuarto lugar entre los hospitales comunitarios. 

“Al contar con estos programas de primera categoría en hospitales de todo el estado, los pacientes no tienen que viajar lejos para recibir la mejor atención cardíaca posible”, agregó el Dr. Gardner. 

El estudio de Premier, una empresa de mejora de la atención médica que ha estudiado y clasificado los mejores hospitales cardiovasculares de Estados Unidos desde 1998, utiliza datos disponibles al público para evaluar anualmente los indicadores de rendimiento, incluida la experiencia del paciente, la mortalidad y las complicaciones de los pacientes internados, las readmisiones y la mortalidad a los 30 días, la duración promedio de la internación y el costo por caso. 

“Estoy muy orgulloso del personal cardiovascular de McKay-Dee Hospital, que son responsables de lograr este increíble hito y que atienden tan bien a nuestros pacientes y a la comunidad”, afirmó el Dr. Eric Lindley, director de cardiología y presidente del personal médico de Intermountain McKay-Dee Hospital. “Al innovar teniendo en cuenta a los pacientes, abordamos uno de los mayores problemas de salud que enfrenta nuestra comunidad”. 

Intermountain Health participa en investigaciones cardíacas pioneras y en varios programas clínicos innovadores que mejoran la salud y atención cardíaca de los pacientes. 

“Nos esforzamos constantemente por ayudar a nuestros pacientes desarrollando nuevos tratamientos y participando en investigaciones avanzadas para ayudarlos a vivir la vida más saludable posible”, afirmó el Dr. Stephen McKellar, cirujano cardiotorácico y director médico del programa cardíaco y vascular de Intermountain Medical Center. “Es gratificante para nuestro equipo, y especialmente significativo para nuestros pacientes, que la dedicación de nuestro personal sea reconocida a nivel nacional”. 

Para ver la lista completa de los 50 mejores hospitales cardiovasculares de Premier para 2025, haga clic aquí. 
 

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Intermountain McKay-Dee Hospital in Ogden is ranked as the #1 teaching heart hospital in the nation without a cardiovascular residency program for 2025, according to a new national study of heart hospitals in America.

Premier Inc. released its annual list of the nation’s Top 50 Cardiovascular Hospitals, and Intermountain McKay-Dee Hospital is not only ranked #1 for teaching hospitals without a cardiovascular residency program, but one of the Top 50 heart hospitals in America.

The study by Premier, which is a health care improvement company that has been studying and ranking America’s best cardiovascular hospitals since 1998, uses publicly available data to annually assess performance indicators including patient experience, inpatient mortality, and complications, 30-day mortality and readmissions, and average length of stay and cost per case.

If hospitals around the country had similar metrics to those that made the Top 50 list – including those at Intermountain McKay-Dee Hospital – it could mean 14,000 fewer deaths, 28,600 fewer bypass and angioplasty patients suffering complications, and save more than $1.5 billion for inpatient costs, according to the study.

Two other Intermountain Health hospitals were also ranked by Premier as Top 50 hospitals, including Intermountain Medical Center in Murray, which ranked third for hospitals with a cardiovascular residency program, and Intermountain St. George Regional Hospital, which ranked fourth among community hospitals.

I’m so proud of the cardiovascular caregivers at McKay-Dee Hospital who are responsible for achieving this incredible milestone and who serve our patients and community so well,” said Eric Lindley, MD, chair of cardiology and medical staff president at Intermountain McKay-Dee Hospital. “By innovating with patients in mind we are helping tackle one of the biggest health issues facing our community.”

Intermountain Health participates in pioneering heart research and is involved in several innovative clinical programs that improve cardiac health and heart care for patients.

“Having three Intermountain Health hospitals on this list shows our systemwide focus on providing the very best cardiovascular care to patients throughout the communities that we serve,” said Blake Gardner, MD, senior medical director of the heart and vascular program at Intermountain Health.

“By having these top-rated programs at hospitals across our state means patients don’t have to travel far to get the best heart care possible, including patients in Ogden and Northern Utah,” he added.

Heart disease remains the leading cause of death for both men and women in the United States.

“Finding new ways to improve heart health is key to better outcomes for patients,” said Dr. Gardner. “I’m really proud to see the dedication of our cardiovascular caregivers at McKay-Dee Hospital and our other hospitals being recognized on a national level.”

To see Premier’s full list of Top 50 Cardiovascular Hospitals for 2025, click here.

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Somehow, Santa Claus seems to always know what people want for Christmas.

For parents who have a baby in the neonatal ICU at the hospital during the holiday season, it can be sad to not be able to take their baby home to be with family, or bring the baby along to holiday parties, family traditions, or visit Santa at the mall.

Instead, Santa Claus made a special visit to see the tiny, newborn babies in the neonatal ICU at Intermountain Medical Center in Murray and posed for photos with each newborn on his lap.

Santa’s elves – who also happen to be neonatal nurses and hospital volunteers – spent time knitting caps for each baby to wear and as a keepsake for parents.

“It’s nice to have some normalcy from ‘outside’ when you have a baby in the neonatal ICU. It helps take your mind off the seriousness of it, even if for just a short time,” said Shamie Campbell, a parent coordinator in the newborn intensive care unit at Intermountain Medical Center in Murray.

Nurses at Intermountain Medical Center dressed up the babies in their knit caps and wrapped them up in blankets and bows to look like Christmas presents.

Another elf, who is a talented photographer, took photos of these precious newborn babies who need specialized hospital care because they were born prematurely or with complications.

“Parents are so grateful to get a picture of their baby to share on their Christmas cards or social media. I can't explain the cheer I see on parents’ faces when they watch the photoshoot and receive the photos,” said Campbell.

“With parents’ permission, we post the photos at the entrance of our neonatal ICU, and they brighten the day of everyone who walks past. You can’t help but smile, looking at their cute faces in their little Christmas hats,” said Alice Casper, RN, nurse manager of the neonatal ICU at Intermountain Medical Center.

“So far in 2024, we’ve had more than 3,000 babies born at Intermountain Medical Center and we’ve cared for 574 babies in our neonatal ICU,” added Casper.

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A Salt Lake man, who is a veteran runner and marathoner, is thankful to be alive after suffering cardiac arrest at the St. George Marathon on Oct. 5. 

Dan Sorensen, 60, has run many marathons himself, but this time he and his son were there just to support and encourage friends during the last few miles of the St. George Marathon. 

At mile 23, Dan and his son, Oliver Sorensen began running alongside their friend for a short time when Dan suddenly collapsed and fell to the ground. His son turned him over and found his dad unresponsive, his heart had stopped, and he had injuries to his face and knees. 

Almost immediately, two Intermountain caregivers, Mike Henstrom, MD, an emergency medicine physician, at Intermountain Medical Center, and Julie Street, RN, nurse manager of the Intermountain Saratoga Springs emergency department, who were running in the marathon behind them, arrived upon the scene and jumped into action along with Katie Bradshaw Smith, RN, an emergency room nurse with MountainStar St. Mark’s Hospital who was also running in the marathon. 

All of them relied on their CPR training. They provided CPR and medical support before the EMT ambulance crew arrived roughly eight minutes later, as the ambulance was nearby at the racecourse on standby to respond to any medical issues. 

Dan and his family reunited with these caregivers on Tuesday at Intermountain Medical Center, for the first time since the incident. 

“I didn’t think he was going to make it. It’s great to see him standing upright,” said Julie Street. “It’s so important to know how to do the basics of CPR that people can do until emergency crews and equipment arrive.” 

“This kind of event drives home the importance of not only knowing CPR, but being able to start it promptly and have the confidence to do it effectively. Time equals brain. The faster you can get a person’s heart and lungs going, the better off the person will be,” said Dr. Henstrom. 

Dr. Henstrom’s wife, Stephanie who ran the half marathon also assisted at the scene, as well as Brian Hales, MD, a retired anesthesiologist who ran the half marathon, and an unknown volunteer. 

Dan was then transported in an ambulance to Intermountain St. George Regional Hospital with his wife, Jana, at his side. 

That first day in the hospital, he wasn’t talking or responding at all and his six children all gathered in the hospital, including a daughter who flew in from out of state, fearing he might not make it. 

He was hospitalized for five days. He does not remember much of what happened there. A physician told the family, that most people who experience this type of cardiac arrest do not survive, unless it occurs inside a hospital. 

After he was stabilized at Intermountain St. George Regional Hospital, Dan was transported to Intermountain Medical Center in Murray where he underwent quadruple bypass surgery by cardiothoracic heart surgeon, William Caine, MD. He was in the hospital several days afterward. He is now home recuperating and doing well, sense of humor intact. 

Dan and his family are forever grateful for those medical professionals who assisted on the scene. 

“It really was just so unbelievable that these people were all there in that moment when I had stopped breathing,” said Dan. 

“There are compassionate people and then there are skilled, compassionate people. It’s an interesting perspective to be the guy that was down on the road, and for people who were there to run a race, to sacrifice their time and use their medical skills during what were very critical moments for me. They gave me the chance to keep living. That’s pretty telling of the kind of people they are,” he added. 


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Ocho hospitales de Intermountain Health han recibido altas calificaciones a nivel nacional como centros médicos de mayor desempeño que brindan el más alto nivel de atención a los pacientes. 

Vizient, una empresa líder en mejoras en el desempeño de la atención médica, calificó a estos hospitales de Intermountain como establecimientos con mayor desempeño en la atención médica en su Estudio anual de calidad y responsabilidad. En este estudio, se analizó la información de 860 hospitales y se midió la calidad de la atención al paciente conforme a seis factores: seguridad, eficacia, tasa de mortalidad, eficiencia, enfoque en el paciente y equidad. 

Los hospitales de Intermountain de mayor desempeño son los siguientes: 
• Intermountain Medical Center en Murray 
• Intermountain Utah Valley Hospital en Provo 
• Intermountain Cedar City Hospital 
• Intermountain McKay-Dee Hospital en Ogden 
• Intermountain Alta View Hospital en Sandy 
• Intermountain Riverton Hospital 
• Intermountain Layton Hospital 
• Intermountain St. George Regional Hospital 

Obtener una designación de mayor desempeño en el estudio de Vizient refleja la excelencia de un hospital para brindar atención de alta calidad. Los hospitales de Intermountain recibieron una alta calificación en tres de las cuatro categorías. 

“En Intermountain Health, mejoramos la atención utilizando información para identificar e implementar prácticas médicas con el fin de que los pacientes vivan la vida más saludable posible”, dijo Rob Allen, presidente y director ejecutivo de Intermountain. “Ocho de nuestros hospitales alcanzaron altos puestos en la lista de Vizient, lo que valida la atención excepcional que proporcionan nuestros empleados”. 

Vizient otorgó el 1.er puesto a nivel nacional al Hospital Regional de Intermountain en St. George en la lista de los centros médicos de gran tamaño que brindan atención especializada compleja. El hospital McKay-Dee de Intermountain en Ogden obtuvo el 12.o puesto y el hospital Utah Valley de Intermountain en Provo obtuvo el 14.o puesto en la misma categoría. 

En la categoría de centros médicos académicos integrales de mayor desempeño, el Centro Médico de Intermountain en Murray obtuvo el 5.o puesto en la lista nacional. 

Cuatro hospitales de Intermountain Health recibieron la distinción en la lista de los hospitales comunitarios de mayor desempeño: el hospital Alta View de Intermountain en Sandy obtuvo el 2.o puesto y el hospital de Intermountain en Cedar City obtuvo el 4.o puesto en la clasificación nacional. 

El hospital de Intermountain en Riverton y el hospital de Intermountain en Layton también recibieron altas distinciones. 

“Los hospitales líderes aprovechan la información y la analítica para ofrecer resultados clínicos superiores”, indicó David Levine, director médico de Vizient. “Con este premio, se condecora a todos los hospitales de Intermountain Health por demostrar un liderazgo centrado en los resultados, y una cultura colaborativa y la adaptabilidad necesarias para alcanzar el éxito”. 

Para ver la lista completa de hospitales incluidos en la lista de este año, haga clic aquí. 

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Eight Intermountain Health Hospitals have received high national rankings as top performing facilities, providing the highest level of care for patients.

Vizient, a leading health care performance improvement company, ranked the Intermountain hospitals as top health care performers in their annual Quality and Accountability Study, which looked at data from 860 hospitals and measured their quality of patient care based on six factors: safety, effectiveness, mortality, efficiency, patient centeredness, and equity.

The top performing Intermountain hospitals are:

• Intermountain Medical Center in Murray
• Intermountain Utah Valley Hospital in Provo
• Intermountain Cedar City Hospital
• Intermountain McKay-Dee Hospital in Ogden
• Intermountain Alta View Hospital in Sandy
• Intermountain Riverton Hospital
• Intermountain Layton Hospital
• Intermountain St. George Regional Hospital

A top performer designation in the Vizient study reflects a hospital’s excellence in delivering high-quality care. Intermountain facilities were ranked high in three of the four categories.

“At Intermountain Health we improve care by using data to identify and implement medical practices that help patients live the healthiest lives possible,” said Rob Allen, president and CEO of Intermountain. “Having eight of our hospitals rank so high on the Vizient list validates the outstanding care provided by our caregivers.”

Vizient ranked Intermountain St. George Regional Hospitals as No. 1 in the nation for large medical centers that provide specialized complex care. Intermountain McKay-Dee Hospital in Ogden ranked 12th and Intermountain Utah Valley Hospital in Provo ranked 14th in the same category.

For the category of top performing comprehensive academic medical centers, Intermountain Medical Center in Murray ranked 5th on the national list.

Intermountain Health had four hospitals honored on the list of top performing community hospitals with Intermountain Alta View Hospital in Sandy ranking 2nd and Intermountain Cedar City Hospital ranking 4^th in the national rankings.

Intermountain Riverton Hospital and Intermountain Layton hospital also received high honors.

“Leading hospitals are leveraging data and analytics to provide superior clinical outcomes,” said David Levine, chief medical officer for Vizient. “This award honors all Intermountain Health hospitals for demonstrating leadership focused on results and a culture of collaboration and adaptability that is necessary to succeed.”

To see the full list of hospitals on this year’s list, click here.

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A chance meeting on “Y Mountain” in Provo, Utah, led to a life-saving kidney transplant for a local pastor whose health was deteriorating and was desperately waiting for an organ donor. 

The two returned to Intermountain Medical Center in Murray, Utah, where a kidney transplant happens every 32 hours. Their goal was to reconnect with Intermountain surgeons, nurses, physicians, and the transplant care team to offer their life-saving gratitude and to share their unique story. 

Krissy Miller, a 49-year-old mother of four and hiker from Provo, felt a strong connection with Shiller Joseph, a 45-year-old pastor from Florida, when they crossed paths on the trail on “Y Mountain” in Provo on that fateful day in September 2023. 

Miller struck up a conversation with him and at one point asked, “What do you like about Utah?” 

“I moved up on the transplant list,” responded Joseph, who suffers from lupus, a chronic autoimmune disease that damaged his kidneys. 

Right there, Miller offered to give him one of her kidneys, after several tests, they found out they were a perfect match. 

On April 2, 2024, Miller and Joseph underwent successful surgeries at Intermountain Medical Center in Murray, to complete an unlikely connection that resulted in a life-saving donation for Joseph. 

Living kidney donors can save the life of a family member, friend, neighbor or even a stranger. 

With more than 90,000 people across the country waiting for a kidney transplant, living kidney donors can offer them a second chance at life. 

“The gift of life that comes from a living donor transplant can provide a shorter wait time, reduce the risk of complications and offer a better chance for long-term success for the person who receives your kidney,” said Donald Morris, MD, Intermountain Health kidney transplant medical director. “Our living kidney donor program is committed to helping patients achieve transplant while maintaining the highest standards of health and safety for donors and recipients.” 

Since Intermountain Health’s living kidney donor program started in 1983, surgeons have performed more than 1,400 living donor transplants and more than 3,600 total kidney transplants and have achieved outcomes that exceed national averages. 

In the last nine years, Intermountain Health has also seen a 458% increase in kidney transplants and has become the number one transplant program in the United States for living donations on the adult kidney transplant wait list. 

“As one of the first comprehensive kidney transplant centers in the U.S., our renowned program has developed many of the techniques and treatments used nationwide today for transplants,” said Jean Botha, MD, medical director of Intermountain Health’s abdominal transplant program. “In fact, recent studies have found the last decade to be a lot safer for living donors.” 

A Stranger’s Gift 
Miller had wanted to be a kidney donor, ever since she saw a Facebook post in 2022 about a father in need of a transplant. 

She even went through the screening process but did not pass and was told she had to lower her blood sugar and lose some weight before she could donate. 

Miller put the thought of donating out of her mind, but decided to start hiking Y Mountain, three times a week – a 2.2-mile round trip hike with more than 1,000 feet elevation gain. 

During the next year, Miller lost 37 pounds and felt healthier than ever. The thought of donating a kidney came back into her mind. She prayed for guidance before one of her hikes. On that very hike, she met Joseph and his wife, Rhona who had recently moved from Florida to start a ministry in Utah. 

She struck up a conversation with them and soon learned she and Joseph both had the same blood type, O+. 

She was moved by his story and said, "What if I give you one of my kidneys?" 

Joseph was humbled by her offer, and said, "Whatever God tells you." 

The two exchanged information and kept in touch, forming an unlikely friendship between the two and their families. 

On March 5, 2024, Miller went through another series of tests, and soon after Meleta Egbert, Intermountain Health transplant coordinator, told her she was a "good match" for Joseph. 

“Telling donors and recipients they are a match is the best part of my job,” said Egbert. “Seeing how Krissy, a total stranger was willing to change Shiller’s life, was just heartwarming, beautiful and actually surprisingly not that unusual here in Utah and for the Intermountain Health transplant program.” 

Over the last three years Intermountain has transplanted 21 Good Samaritan or non-directed living kidney donors. 

“These donors selflessly gave the gift of life to a someone they didn’t know,” said Dr. Morris. 

When it came time to share the news, Miller surprised Joseph with some homemade rolls and a sign and that said, "I kid you not! Let’s get this surgery, ‘roll’-ing! You're getting a kidney!” 

Joseph was speechless, in tears, overjoyed and grateful for her generosity. 

“How is this lady a match? She doesn’t even know me, but she was teaching me faith and trust,” said Joseph. 

Joseph had been diagnosed with lupus when he was younger, but his condition worsened in 2020, when he was as he says, “A Snickers bar away from being obese.” 

When Joseph’s lupus came out of remission with a vengeance he had to start dialysis, three times a week, and he could no longer work. 

Joseph, a former paramedic, wanted to lose some weight and started hiking trails with his wife. 
On September 14, 2023, his first time on Y Mountain, he met Miller and felt an instant bond with her. 

After three years of dialysis and only a year on the waiting list, Joseph got his new kidney. 

“Had I stayed in Florida, I would have waited at least eight years,” said Joseph. 

Intermountain Health’s transplant program has one of the shortest wait times in the country and is recognized for providing the best match for incompatible pairs and compatible pairs, like Miller and Joseph. 

Joseph now calls Krissy Miller his sister and angel, and says she saved his life. 

"We may look different, but we're all the same on the inside," Joseph said. He hopes their story will inspire others to consider becoming organ donors, and to see the humanity in everyone they meet. 

Last year, just 6,290 of the nation’s more than 27,000 kidney transplants came from living donors. 

Finding a living donor not only shortens the national waiting list, but those organs also tend to survive longer than ones from deceased donors. 

To learn more about living kidney donation at Intermountain Health, go here. 

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Intermountain Health se enorgullece de ofrecer eventos gratuitos Ladies Night Out en siete hospitales de Utah a finales de septiembre y durante el mes de octubre, no solo para celebrar la salud de las mujeres, sino también para brindarles información sobre sus necesidades de atención médica a lo largo de las diferentes décadas de sus vidas. 

Las mujeres suelen ser excelentes a la hora de cuidar a sus seres queridos, familiares y amigos, pero esto puede hacer que les resulte difícil priorizar su propia salud y bienestar. Las investigaciones muestran que las mujeres toman el 80 % de las decisiones relacionadas con la atención médica para sus familias. Por lo tanto, cuanto más informadas estén, más saludables estarán ellas y sus seres queridos. 

Los eventos Ladies Night Out se llevarán a cabo en siete hospitales de Intermountain a lo largo de Wasatch Front, Wasatch Back y en el condado de Sanpete. Pueden asistir mujeres de todas las edades. 

El programa de los eventos Ladies Night Out de Intermountain es el siguiente: 

• Intermountain LDS Hospital, Salt Lake City: martes 24 de septiembre, de 6:00 p. m. a 8:00 p. m. 
• Intermountain Riverton Hospital: jueves 26 de septiembre, de 6:30 p. m. a 8:30 p. m. 
• Intermountain Heber Valley Hospital: miércoles 2 de octubre, de 6:00 p. m. a 8:00 p. m. 
• Intermountain Medical Center, Murray: martes 8 de octubre, de 6:30 p. m. a 8:30 p. m. 
• Intermountain Alta View Hospital, Sandy: miércoles 9 de octubre, de 6:00 p. m. a 8:00 p. m. 
• Intermountain McKay-Dee Hospital, Ogden: jueves 10 de octubre, de 5:30 p. m. a 7:30 p. m. 
• Intermountain Sanpete Valley Hospital, Mt. Pleasant: martes 15 de octubre, de 5:00 p. m. a 7:00 p. m. 

“Una de las mejores ventajas de nuestros eventos Ladies Night Out es la oportunidad de conocer a los proveedores de salud de las mujeres en su hospital local, escucharlos y hablar con ellos”, dijo Heather Wall, presidenta del Intermountain LDS Hospital en Salt Lake City. “Estos eventos ayudan a las mujeres a comprender y tomar conciencia sobre los exámenes de salud recomendados, así como conocer los numerosos servicios de atención médica disponibles para las mujeres en nuestros hospitales, en nuestras clínicas y a través de nuestros socios de salud en la comunidad”. 

Las mujeres podrán conocer e interactuar con proveedores de salud especializados en diversas áreas de salud femenina, por ejemplo: atención de las mujeres y los recién nacidos, salud conductual, mamografía, nutrición y pediatría, así como con cuidadores especializados en medicina deportiva, fisioterapia, urología y reconstrucción mamaria. 

“Las decisiones de atención médica que toman las mujeres son cruciales, no solo para su propio bienestar, sino también para la salud de sus familias y comunidades. Si les brindamos el conocimiento, los recursos y el apoyo necesarios para tomar estas decisiones, estaremos contribuyendo a mejorar los resultados de salud pública en nuestras comunidades”, afirmó Wall. 

Los eventos Ladies Night Out de Intermountain ofrecen un ambiente divertido con exhibiciones interactivas, información sobre exámenes de salud y actividades para que las mujeres puedan escuchar a las personas expertas en atención médica o tener la oportunidad de crear algo para llevarse a sus casas. Habrá alimentos saludables para degustar preparados por los chefs del hospital, obsequios, sorteos de premios y mucho más. 

El evento Ladies Night Out del LDS Hospital contará con un panel de cuatro proveedores especializados en la salud de las mujeres. En el evento, las mujeres también podrán recibir una vacuna contra la gripe o programar una mamografía. Además, podrán crear y llevarse a sus casas un arreglo de plantas suculentas dentro de una calabaza pequeña. 

Las mujeres saldrán de estos eventos con un conocimiento más profundo sobre los exámenes de salud y los servicios necesarios en cada etapa de sus vidas, desde la adolescencia hasta el parto y el período de posparto. Esto incluirá información sobre la prevención del cáncer de mama a través de mamografías regulares, los desafíos de la menopausia y mucho más. 

Para obtener más información sobre los eventos, incluidas las fechas y los horarios, visite la página de Ladies Night Out de Intermountain en intermountainhealth.org, o siga la página de Intermountain Health o de su hospital local de Intermountain en Facebook o Instagram. 

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Intermountain Health is proud to offer free Ladies Night Out events at seven hospital locations across Utah in late September through October, to not only help celebrate women’s health, but also to teach women more about their healthcare needs through the various decades of their lives. 

Women are often very good at taking care of their loved ones, families and friends, but that can make it difficult for women to prioritize their own health and well-being. Research shows women make 80 percent of the healthcare decisions for their families. So, the more informed they are, the healthier they and their loved ones can be. 

The Ladies Night Out events will take place at seven Intermountain hospitals along the Wasatch Front, in the Wasatch Back, and in Sanpete County. Women of any age can attend. 

The Intermountain Ladies Night Out schedule is as follows: 

• Intermountain LDS Hospital, Salt Lake City: Tuesday, Sept. 24, 6-8 pm. 
• Intermountain Riverton Hospital, Thursday, Sept. 26, 6:30-8:30 pm. 
• Intermountain Heber Valley Hospital, Wednesday, Oct. 2, 6-8 pm. 
• Intermountain Medical Center, Murray: Tuesday, Oct. 8, 6:30-8:30 pm. 
• Intermountain Alta View Hospital, Sandy: Wednesday, Oct. 9, 6-8 pm. 
• Intermountain McKay-Dee Hospital, Ogden: Thursday, Oct. 10, 5:30-7:30 pm. 
• Intermountain Sanpete Valley Hospital, Mt. Pleasant: Wednesday, Oct. 15, 5-7 pm. 

“One of the best things about our Ladies Night Out events is the chance to get to know the women’s health providers at your local hospital, to hear from them and talk to them,” said Heather Wall, president of Intermountain LDS Hospital in Salt Lake City. “These events give women an awareness and understanding of recommended health screenings and the many healthcare services available for women in our hospitals and clinics and from our community health partners.” 

Women will be able to meet and interact with women’s health providers from various medical specialties, such as: women and newborn care, behavioral health, mammography, nutrition, and pediatrics, as well as caregivers who specialize in women’s sports medicine, physical therapy, urology, and breast reconstruction. 

“The healthcare decisions women make are vitally important, not just for their own well-being, but also for the health of their families and communities. As we empower women with knowledge, resources, and support to make these decisions, it will help improve the public health outcomes for our communities,” said Wall. 

Intermountain Ladies Night Out events offer a fun atmosphere with interactive displays, health screening information and activities for women to hear healthcare experts, or opportunities to create something to take home. There will be healthy food options to sample from hospital chefs, free giveaways, prize drawings and more. 

The LDS Hospital Ladies Night Out event will feature a panel of four women’s health-related providers. Women can also get a flu shot at the event or schedule a mammogram. Women can also create and take home a succulent plant arrangement inside a mini pumpkin. 

Women will leave each event with an increased knowledge of health screenings or services they might need for whatever stage of life they’re in from adolescence to childbirth, to the postpartum period to helping to prevent breast cancer with regular mammograms, and through the ups and downs of menopause and beyond. 

For more information about the events, including dates and times, visit the Intermountain Health Ladies Night Out webpage on intermountainhealth.org or follow Intermountain Health or your local Intermountain hospital on Facebook or Instagram. 

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Stroke is the fifth-leading cause of death and a leading cause of disability in the United States. According to the Utah Department of Health and Human Services, strokes were the sixth leading cause of death in 2020.

A stroke occurs when a blood vessel that carries oxygen and nutrients to the brain is either blocked by a clot or bursts. When that happens, part of the brain cannot get the blood and oxygen it needs, so brain cells die. Early stroke detection and treatment are key to improving survival, minimizing disability, and accelerating recovery times.

The Get With the Guidelines puts the expertise of the American Heart Association and American Stroke Association to work for hospitals nationwide, helping ensure patient care is aligned with the latest research- and evidence-based guidelines. This program helps improve stroke care by promoting consistent adherence to these guidelines, which can minimize the long-term effects of a stroke and even prevent death.

The Intermountain Health team of specialists has developed protocols that shorten the amount of time it takes to diagnose and treat a stroke. This is important because a quick diagnosis and treatment can mean less long-term damage, less disability, and better overall outcomes.

Intermountain Health offers a full spectrum of specialized care that ranges from neuro critical care through acute care and into rehabilitation and outpatient therapy. 

“This recognition reflects the unwavering dedication of our team of physicians, APPs, nurses, and technicians to the community we are so honored to serve. We have a saying in neurology that ‘Time is Brain’, because the sooner we treat stroke patients, the better their outcomes will be,” said Katherine Thomas, MD, chief medical officer for Intermountain Medical Center.

“We are committed to continually assessing and refining our stroke processes while leveraging our incredible caregivers to ensure that every patient receives the highest quality stroke care.” 

“We are incredibly pleased to recognize Intermountain Medical Center for its commitment to caring for patients with stroke,” said Steven Messe, MD, volunteer chairperson of the American Heart Association Stroke System of Care Advisory Group and professor of neurology and director of fellowships of neurology at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania. “Participation in Get With the Guidelines is associated with improved patient outcomes, fewer readmissions and lower mortality rates – a win for health care systems, families and communities.”

Intermountain Medical Center also received the American Heart Association’s Target: Stroke Honor Roll Elite Plus award, the AHA’s Honor Roll Advanced Therapy award, and the AHA’s Target: Type 2 Diabetes Honor Roll award.

To qualify for this recognition, hospitals must meet specific criteria that reduce the time between an eligible patient’s arrival at the hospital and treatment with thrombolytic therapy. Additionally, hospitals must meet specific criteria that reduce the time between an eligible patient’s arrival at the hospital and treatment to remove the clot causing the stroke.

“Intermountain Medical Center is committed to improving patient care by adhering to the latest treatment guidelines,” said Dr. Thomas. “The Get With the Guidelines program makes it easier for our teams to put proven knowledge and guidelines to work on a daily basis, which studies show can help patients recover better. The end goal is to ensure more people in our community experience longer, healthier lives.”

The Target: Type 2 Diabetes program aims to ensure patients with Type 2 diabetes, who might be at higher risk for complications, receive the most up-to-date, evidence-based care when hospitalized due to stroke.

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El accidente cerebrovascular es la quinta causa principal de muerte y una de las principales causas de discapacidad en los Estados Unidos. Según el Departamento de Salud y Servicios Humanos de Utah, los accidentes cerebrovasculares fueron la sexta causa principal de muerte en 2020.

Un accidente cerebrovascular ocurre cuando un vaso sanguíneo que transporta oxígeno y nutrientes al cerebro está bloqueado por un coágulo o se rompe. Cuando eso sucede, una parte del cerebro no puede obtener la sangre y el oxígeno que necesita, por lo que las células cerebrales mueren. La detección y el tratamiento tempranos del accidente cerebrovascular son clave para mejorar la supervivencia, minimizar la discapacidad y acelerar los tiempos de recuperación.

Get With the Guidelines pone la experiencia de la Asociación Americana del Corazón y la Asociación Americana de Accidentes Cerebrovasculares al servicio de los hospitales de todo el país, ayudando a garantizar que la atención al paciente esté alineada con las últimas directrices basadas en la investigación y la evidencia. Este programa ayuda a mejorar la atención de los accidentes cerebrovasculares al promover el cumplimiento constante de estas pautas, lo que puede minimizar los efectos a largo plazo de un accidente cerebrovascular e incluso prevenir la muerte.

El equipo de especialistas de Intermountain Health ha desarrollado protocolos que acortan la cantidad de tiempo que se tarda en diagnosticar y tratar un accidente cerebrovascular. Esto es importante porque un diagnóstico y tratamiento rápidos pueden significar menos daño a largo plazo, menos discapacidad y mejores resultados generales.

Intermountain Health ofrece un espectro completo de atención especializada que abarca desde la atención neurocrítica hasta la atención aguda y la rehabilitación y la terapia ambulatoria.

"Este reconocimiento refleja la dedicación inquebrantable de nuestro equipo de médicos, APP, enfermeras y técnicos a la comunidad a la que nos sentimos tan honrados de servir. Tenemos un dicho en neurología que dice que 'el tiempo es cerebro', porque cuanto antes tratemos a los pacientes con accidente cerebrovascular, mejores serán sus resultados", dijo Katherine Thomas, MD, directora médica de Intermountain Medical Center.

"Estamos comprometidos a evaluar y refinar continuamente nuestros procesos de accidente cerebrovascular mientras aprovechamos a nuestros increíbles cuidadores para garantizar que cada paciente reciba atención de la más alta calidad para el accidente cerebrovascular".

"Estamos increíblemente complacidos de reconocer a Intermountain Medical Center por su compromiso con el cuidado de los pacientes con accidentes cerebrovasculares", dijo Steven Messe, MD, presidente voluntario del Grupo Asesor del Sistema de Atención de Accidentes Cerebrovasculares de la Asociación Estadounidense del Corazón y profesor de neurología y director de becas de neurología en el Hospital de la Universidad de Pensilvania. "La participación en Get With the Guidelines se asocia con mejores resultados para los pacientes, menos readmisiones y menores tasas de mortalidad, una victoria para los sistemas de atención médica, las familias y las comunidades".

Intermountain Medical Center también recibió el premio Target: Stroke Honor Roll Elite Plus de la American Heart Association, el premio Honor Roll Advanced Therapy de la AHA y el premio Target: Type 2 Diabetes Honor Roll de la AHA.

Para calificar para este reconocimiento, los hospitales deben cumplir con criterios específicos que reduzcan el tiempo entre la llegada de un paciente elegible al hospital y el tratamiento con terapia trombolítica. Además, los hospitales deben cumplir con criterios específicos que reduzcan el tiempo entre la llegada de un paciente elegible al hospital y el tratamiento para eliminar el coágulo que causa el accidente cerebrovascular.

"Intermountain Medical Center está comprometido a mejorar la atención al paciente al adherirse a las últimas pautas de tratamiento", dijo el Dr. Thomas. "El programa Get With the Guidelines hace que sea más fácil para nuestros equipos poner en práctica el conocimiento y las pautas comprobados a diario, lo que los estudios muestran que puede ayudar a los pacientes a recuperarse mejor. El objetivo final es garantizar que más personas de nuestra comunidad experimenten vidas más largas y saludables".

El objetivo: El programa de diabetes tipo 2 tiene como objetivo garantizar que los pacientes con diabetes tipo 2, que podrían tener un mayor riesgo de complicaciones, reciban la atención más actualizada y basada en evidencia cuando sean hospitalizados debido a un accidente cerebrovascular.

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La revista Fortune y PINC AI clasificaron al Intermountain Medical Center de Murray como el mejor hospital de enseñanza del país en 2024. 

La clasificación de Fortune analizó datos disponibles al público general de más de 2600 hospitales en todo el país para determinar los que tienen mejor desempeño en cuatro categorías: resultados clínicos, experiencia del paciente, eficiencia operativa y bienestar económico.

El Intermountain Medical Center obtuvo una puntuación de cinco estrellas sobre cinco en las cuatro categorías, además de un 100 % en la encuesta de salud de la comunidad.

“Nuestros cuidadores son líderes en innovación de atención médica. El hecho de que el Intermountain Medical Center haya sido clasificado como el mejor hospital de enseñanza en el país muestra que nuestra visión está funcionando”, dijo Ralph Jean-Mary, director general del Intermountain Medical Center en Murray.

Intermountain Health es un sistema de salud integrado valorado a nivel nacional y cuenta con programas reconocidos dirigidos por algunos de los mejores expertos del ámbito clínico. A través de programas completamente acreditados, los candidatos elegibles pueden completar sus residencias médicas, posgrados y otras capacitaciones en el Intermountain Medical Center y en diversos centros de Intermountain.

El Intermountain Medical Center funciona como uno de los mayores hospitales de enseñanza para escuelas de medicina, farmacia y enfermería, ya que admite programas de capacitación acreditados en medicina interna, medicina de emergencia, cuidados críticos, cardiología, cirugía, neonatología, obstetricia y ginecología, medicina física y rehabilitación, trasplante de órganos sólidos y farmacia. 

“En el centro de todo lo que hacemos en el Intermountain Medical Center está nuestra atención especial en el paciente”, dijo Lana McGIll, doctora en medicina, experta en medicina interna y directora de calidad del Intermountain Medical Center. “Estamos capacitando a la próxima generación de personal de atención médica para que hagan lo mismo utilizando las últimas tecnologías, investigación y prácticas recomendadas basadas en pruebas”.

El Intermountain Medical Center cuenta con 516 camas autorizadas, una amplia gama de servicios de cuidados críticos, cardiovasculares, pulmonares, contra el cáncer, neurológicos y de obstetricia, por lo que es uno de los mayores centros de referencia y un centro de traumatismo de nivel 1 dedicado a ofrecer la mejor atención a los pacientes de Estados Unidos.

El Intermountain Medical Center también cuenta con el centro de trasplantes para adultos de Intermountain Health, que pasó de realizar 38 trasplantes de hígado en 2018 a 166 en 2023: un aumento del 337 %.

“Este alto rendimiento de nuestro equipo de trasplantes es solo uno de los ejemplos de cómo nuestros cuidadores en el Intermountain Medical Center se esfuerzan para ofrecer sus servicios no solo a quienes viven en Murray, sino también a quienes viven por todo el país”, dijo Jean-Mary. “Están salvando y cambiando vidas de verdad”.

Los médicos y cuidadores del Intermountain Medical Center tratan algunos de los casos cardiovasculares, neuroquirúrgicos y pulmonares más complejos y su investigación se centra en referencias externas, resultados clínicos y experiencias generales de los pacientes.

El equipo del Medical Center de casi 6000 cuidadores busca constantemente nuevos métodos innovadores para mejorar y ofrecer su atención médica, como la telesalud o la supervisión remota para pacientes.

Otros nueve hospitales de Intermountain ubicados en Utah también fueron clasificados como los mejores hospitales del país en la lista de los mejores 100 hospitales de este año, según PINC AI y Fortune.

“Cuando el 10 % de todos los hospitales en una lista tan prestigiosa como la de Fortune son de Intermountain Health, se refleja cómo la atención innovadora y compasiva que nuestros cuidadores brindan día a día está ayudando a lograr nuestra visión de ser un sistema de salud modelo, reconocimiento que recibimos cuando se formó nuestro sistema en 1975”, dijo Rob Allen, presidente y director general de Intermountain Health. “Estoy orgulloso de nuestros cuidadores por el trabajo que hacen y el impacto que tienen en nuestras comunidades.   Su trabajo me inspira a mí y a otros”.

 La lista anual de los 100 mejores hospitales de Fortune y PINC AI se divide en varias categorías. Hay 40 puestos para hospitales de enseñanza, los 60 restantes son para hospitales comunitarios.

El Intermountain McKay-Dee Hospital obtuvo el cuarto puesto entre los hospitales de enseñanza y el Intermountain St. George Regional Hospital obtuvo el segundo lugar en la categoría de Hospitales comunitarios grandes.

Otros hospitales que entran en la lista de los mejores 100 de este año son los siguientes: 

• Intermountain Logan Regional Hospital
• Intermountain Alta View Hospital en Sandy
• Intermountain American Fork Hospital
• Intermountain Cedar City Hospital
• Intermountain Layton Hospital
• Intermountain Park City Hospital
• Intermountain Riverton Hospital

Para ver la lista completa de los Mejores hospitales de 2024 según Fortune, haga clic aquí.

Para obtener más información sobre el Intermountain Medical Center, haga clic aquí. 

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Fortune magazine and PINC AI have ranked Intermountain Medical Center in Murray as the number one major teaching hospital in the nation for 2024.

In addition, nine other Intermountain hospitals in Utah were ranked among the nation’s best hospitals on this year’s top 100 hospitals list, according to PINC AI and Fortune.

“When 10 percent of all the hospitals on a prestigious list like Fortune are from Intermountain Health, it shows how the innovative, caring and compassionate work our caregivers do on a daily basis is helping fulfill our vision of being a model health system – a charge given when our system was formed in 1975,” said Rob Allen, president and CEO of Intermountain Health. “I’m proud of our caregivers for the work they do and the impact it has on our communities. Their work is an inspiration to me and to others.”

The Fortune rankings analyzed publicly available data from more than 2,600 hospitals across the nation to determine top performers in clinical outcomes, patient experience, operational efficiency, and financial health.

“Our caregivers are at the forefront of innovation in healthcare and Intermountain Medical Center being ranked the top teaching hospital in the country shows that our vision is working,” said Ralph Jean-Mary, CEO of Intermountain Medical Center in Murray.

The annual Fortune and PINC AI Top 100 list is broken down into multiple categories with 40 being for teaching hospitals, and the remaining 60 slots for community hospitals.

Intermountain McKay-Dee Hospital was listed forth for teaching hospitals while Intermountain St. George Regional Hospital placed second in the category for Large Community Hospitals.

Others making this year’s Top 100 list are:

-       Intermountain Logan Regional Hospital

-       Intermountain Alta View Hospital in Sandy

-       Intermountain American Fork Hospital

-       Intermountain Cedar City Hospital

-       Intermountain Layton Hospital

-       Intermountain Park City Hospital

-       Intermountain Riverton Hospital

To see the full Fortune Top Hospitals List for 2024, click here.

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Two Intermountain Health hospitals have been named Top 50 heart hospitals in the nation for 2024 by Fortune Magazine. 

Intermountain McKay-Dee Hospital in Ogden and Intermountain Medical Center in Murray are ranked as two of the nation’s Top 50 Cardiovascular Hospitals for 2024 by Fortune and Pinc AI, which evaluates heart hospitals annually to determine facilities that are excelling in providing high quality, affordable heart care. 

The Fortune and Pinc AI rankings including teaching hospitals with and without cardiovascular residency programs, along with community hospitals. 

This year’s rankings examined 940 hospitals in the United States and assessed their performance based on metrics including clinical outcomes (inpatient deaths and complications, as well as readmission and 30-day mortality rates), operational efficiency (average length of cost and stay), and overall patient experience. 

This is the fourth consecutive year that Intermountain Medical Center has been named to the Fortune Top 50 list, and the first year for Intermountain McKay-Dee Hospital. 

“This is a terrific honor to have our efforts to provide the highest-quality heart care to our patients be recognized by Fortune Magazine,” said Eric Lindley, MD, medical director of the cardiovascular program at Intermountain McKay-Dee Hospital. “Our goal is to provide the very best heart care to our patients close to home here in Northern Utah. We’re proud to have those efforts recognized nationally. That’s a credit to our entire team.” 

“We’re thrilled to once again be recognized as one of premier heart hospitals in the nation,” said Stephen McKellar, MD, medical director for the cardiovascular program at Intermountain Medical Center. “Our focus is to provide the very best care and treatment options for our patients. The fact that two of our Intermountain hospitals are ranked among the Top 50 hospitals in the nation is a real honor and speaks to our commitment to our patients.” 

The rankings focus on short-term, acute care, nonfederal hospitals that treat a broad spectrum of cardiology patients. Hospitals must provide all levels of cardiovascular care, including open heart surgery, to be included in the study. 

According to the authors of the study, compared to peer hospitals, those in the 50 Top Cardiovascular Hospitals operated at lower cost and had better outcomes, recording significantly higher inpatient survival rates, fewer patients with complications, lower readmission rates and up to nearly $10,000 less in total costs per patient case. 

These outcomes add up to meaningful differences. 

According to the study’s analysis, if all hospitals operated at the level of this year’s top performers, there could be 7,600 fewer deaths due to heart disease, 6,700 fewer bypass and angioplasty patients who suffer complications, and more than $1 billion in inpatient costs could have been saved for the 2024 study year. 

This analysis is based on Medicare patients included in this study. If the same standards were applied to all inpatients, the impact could have been even greater.

Nine Intermountain Health hospitals have been named to Newsweek’s 2024 rankings of the World's Best Hospitals. 

The prestigious list aims to highlight the best facilities each year by using a mix of methodology that evaluates quality and safety measures meant to provide a guide for patients and families in choosing healthcare services in their communities. 

Newsweek looked at data from 2,400 hospitals across 30 countries to compile their list. The final scores were based on surveys from medical experts, patient/doctor ratios, and patient satisfaction surveys, among other metrics. 

“Intermountain is honored to be included among this premier list of hospitals,” said Rob Allen, president and CEO of Intermountain Health. “It represents the tireless work of our caregivers and their focus on exceptional and compassionate patient care.” 

Intermountain Health has put a major focus on providing affordable care while increasing access to services for patients. Thanks to the expansion of telehealth, patients can now get the specialized care they need closer to home, regardless of their location. 

The Intermountain hospitals ranked by Newsweek for the United States are: 

• Intermountain Health Good Samaritan Hospital, Lafayette CO 
• Intermountain LDS Hospital, Salt Lake City, UT 
• Intermountain Logan Regional Hospital, Logan, UT 
• Intermountain Lutheran Medical Center, Wheat Ridge, CO 
• Intermountain Medical Center, Murray, UT 
• Intermountain Saint Joseph Hospital, Denver, CO 
• Intermountain St. George Regional Hospital, St. George, UT 
• Intermountain Health St. Vincent Regional Hospital, Billings, MT 
• Intermountain Utah Valley Hospital, Provo UT 

To see Newsweek’s full lists of World’s Best Hospitals, click here.

Intermountain Health has opened the first clinic of its kind in the Intermountain West that is designed specifically to support Spanish-speaking patients undergoing kidney transplantation.

The new Intermountain Clinica Hispana de Riñon at Intermountain Medical Center in Murray, UT offers culturally comprehensive care, where providers address patients in their native language and are trained to support patients’ cultural needs and educational styles.

Pre-transplant patients receive education and evaluation by all providers in Spanish, including meeting with bilingual providers in nephrology, surgery, social work, coordinators, finance, and nutrition. 

“Programs like this are quite rare in the United States,” said Ivan Zendejas, MD, Intermountain Health transplant surgeon. “We are happy to offer this much needed service to our patients.” 

“Our vision for the clinic is to help bridge the gap between the medical community and the Latino community and help our patients feel more comfortable when trying to maneuver the complicated transplant world, said Alan Contreras, MD, transplant surgeon for Intermountain Health’s abdominal transplant program at Intermountain Medical Center.

Patients who receive medical information in their preferred language are more likely to understand and participate fully in decisions about their care, according to research. 

Intermountain Health Transplant Services caregivers spearheaded this project, recognizing there are many misconceptions about transplantation and the donation process in Spanish-speaking communities and that some information may get lost in translation. 

The new clinic supports patients who prefer to communicate in Spanish, and who are undergoing kidney transplantation with personalized and multi-disciplinary care. 

“Patients have told me they can finally understand their health care,” said Anna Petersen, PA-C, physician associate for Intermountain Health. “They also tell me they feel empowered because they and their family totally understand what is happening with their transplant.” 

Clinica Hispana de Riñon has been open for several months and already, caregivers and patients and are noticing the difference.

“Receiving information about my surgery in my native language, gave me so much confidence,” said Luis Campos, liver and kidney transplant patient. “All my questions were answered, I was reassured, and my mind was put at ease.”

Intermountain Health Transplant Services also offers a clinic for Spanish speaking patients post-transplant where they meet with a nephrology provider and pharmacist who speak with them in their native language to help complete a successful transplant journey.

For more information on the clinic go here or call 801-507-3380. 

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Intermountain Health has opened the first clinic of its kind in the Intermountain West that is designed specifically to support Spanish-speaking patients undergoing kidney transplantation.