Quality & Value

At Lawrence General Hospital, providing our patients with safe, efficient and accurate care is a top priority. Lawrence General offers high quality and high value. In a 2011 analysis of Blue Cross payments for cardiac procedures here at Lawrence General, the average cost savings to have a cath procedure here, versus in Boston, was $10,000 less per cardiac procedure reviewed, and the savings for a typical pediatric admission at LGH is $3,000; same great quality and results, and sometimes the same doctor, but significant savings for you and/or your insurer.

We have also announced new partnerships with a number of Limited Networks, so you can obtain high quality care locally, but at even more affordable rates.

In 2011, Lawrence General Hospital was recognized as a "Community Value Five-Star Hospital" based on our Community Value Index score. The award is based upon cost and charge structures, financial viability, plant reinvestment and overall quality performance. Lawrence General scored in the top 20% of all hospitals in our peer group to receive the national recognition. 

Also, Blue Cross Blue Shield of MA just increased the reimbursement rates for our Hospital based on the dramatic improvement across all aspects/departments of care over the past two years.  We still have work to do in this regard, but the national and regional recognition of our substantial progress towards excellence is important to every patient coming to Lawrence General for his or her care.

Per national hospital ratings by Leapfrog, Lawrence General Hospital has topped the Quality and Safety Ratings* in:
         Heart Angioplasty
         Birthing Center & Deliveries
         Aortic Aneurysm Repair
         Steps Taken to Avoid Patient Harm
         Reducing Pressure Ulcers
         Managing Errors

Here is a snapshot of selected 2011 Leapfrog ratings for the hospitals in our region (or click here to view the complete results directly on the Leapfrog site):



Our Patient-Family Advisory Council (PFAC) adds an important dimension to this on-going initiative. The members of the Council represent a diverse group of patients, family members, community representatives, physicians, nurses, managers and others – about 30 people total. They meet monthly and participate directly in decisions leading to improvements in the environment of care at Lawrence General.

"At Lawrence General Hospital we are committed to strengthening every aspect of the health care experience for patients and their families. We utilize the Council's input to help guide our strategic planning to improve the overall quality and satisfaction patients experience at our community hospital. I am confident I am joined by all of our dedicated LGH staff in recognizing this exciting partnership" adds Mary Wiggin-Loux, Senior Director Nursing/Patient Operations.

In addition to the PFAC, an internal Patient Experience Team, whose members represent staff from departments throughout the hospital, survey patients from units that are not their own in order to identify areas of both excellence and opportunities. Our goal is to provide A+ care to every patient, every time. We strongly encourage patients to share their opinions with the representatives of the Patient Experience Team should they be randomly selected during their stay to participate in the survey or when they receive a survey in the mail after arriving back at home.

For more information, please contact Theresa Sievers, Vice President for Quality & Patient Safety at 978-946-8109.


*Per Leapfrog Group for Patient Safety Ratings