By Cathy Rebman

Inland Empire– For the third consecutive year, San Antonio Regional Hospital has been named a recipient of the Women’s Choice Award® as one of 2016 America’s Best Hospitals for Heart Care. San Antonio is one of 353 hospitals nationwide and just two in the Inland Empire to qualify for this evidence-based designation.

The Women’s Choice Award is the only heart care award that identifies the country’s best healthcare institutions based on robust criteria that consider both clinical excellence and female patient satisfaction. San Antonio performed well clinically with regard to heart care measures, but also had a high recommendation rate, which women have identified as a very important indicator when selecting a hospital.

Women’s Choice determines the 2016 America’s Best Hospitals for Heart Care list by first identifying hospitals across the nation that offer a minimum number of cardiac and/or vascular services. Only hospitals that perform well clinically with regard to heart care measures reported to Medicare, and also have a high Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (HCAHPS) recommendation score, are selected. All data used to determine the award recipients are completely objective and evidence-based. “Considering that heart disease is the number one killer of women across the country, helping women find the best in cardiac care is how we empower women to make the best healthcare choices for themselves and for their family,” says Delia Passi, CEO and Founder of the Women’s Choice Award.

According to the American Heart Association (AHA), one in every three women dies from heart disease and stroke in the United States. “It is an honor to be recognized by the Women’s Choice Organization,” states Harris F. Koenig, President & Chief Executive Officer of San Antonio Regional Hospital. “Considering that one in every three women dies from heart disease and stroke today in the United States, this designation of excellence signifies our ongoing commitment to meeting the highest standards in cardiac and/or vascular services. We are proud to have some of the best cardiac staff in the region. Our staff in the emergency department, cardiac catheterization lab, cardiac care unit, cardiac surgery, and cardiac rehabilitation department work as a multi-disciplinary team to provide the highest standard of care to our patients.”