Pioneering a Response to COVID-19 that Achieved a Lower Mortality Rate than the National Average

The rapid onset of COVID-19 forced hospitals to respond to a health crisis while facing many unknowns about the disease. Attempting to create a standardized, evidence-based approach to care for patients ill with a recently identified infectious disease with no known effective drug therapy posed a tremendous hurdle for providers. The challenge was exacerbated by the urgent need for system guidance in the face of a rapidly expanding pandemic.

Early on, it was evident that Memorial Hermann’s success would require multidisciplinary collaboration.  As a result of multiple teams’ work efforts, Memorial Hermann’s mortality rate remained below the national average from March 2020 to April 2021.

Additionally, Memorial Hermann Southwest Hospital was named to an exclusive Healthgrades list of “Leading Hospitals in Early COVID Care” for providing “best-in-class COVID-19 care” to both their patients and their communities during the first wave of the pandemic.

Memorial Hermann Inpatient Mortality Rate vs National Inpatient Mortality Rate

Value Outcomes Reporting - Mortality Rates 

Leapfrog Hospital Safety Scores

Three Memorial Hermann hospitals scored high marks for safety, earning an "A" grade for patient safety from The Leapfrog Group, an independent, national nonprofit organization run by employers and other large purchasers of health benefits.

Memorial Hermann hospitals that received an "A" grade are:

  • Memorial Hermann Katy Hospital
  • Memorial Hermann Memorial City Medical Center
  • Memorial Hermann Sugar Land Hospital

Quality Leadership Award

Memorial Hermann-TMC received the 2022 Bernard A. Birnbaum, MD, Quality Leadership Ranking by Vizient, Inc. and ranked ninth out of 107 Vizient members for Comprehensive Academic Medical Centers. The hospital was recognized for demonstrating excellence in delivering high-quality care based on the Vizient's Quality and Accountability Study, which has been conducted annually since 2005.

Recognized for Nursing Excellence

The Magnet Recognition Program from the American Nurses Credentialing Center recognizes health care organizations for quality patient care, nursing excellence and innovations in professional nursing practice. 

Magnet Designated Hospitals:

  • Memorial Hermann-Texas Medical Center
  • Memorial Hermann Greater Heights Hospital
  • Memorial Hermann Memorial City Medical Center
  • Memorial Hermann Southwest Hospital
  • Memorial Hermann The Woodlands Medical Center
  • Memorial Hermann Southeast & Pearland Hospital
  • Memorial Hermann Sugar Land Hospital

Hospitals with Pathway to Excellence Designation:

  • Memorial Hermann Katy Hospital
  • Memorial Hermann Northeast Hospital
  • TIRR Memorial Hermann

For more information about Memorial Hermann’s numerous nursing excellence recognitions, click here.

US News & World Report Best Hospitals Ranking

Beginning in 1990, U.S. News & World Report has ranked our nation's leading hospitals annually. And in every one of those years, TIRR Memorial Hermann has been named among the very best rehabilitation hospitals in the United States. TIRR Memorial Hermann ranks best in Texas and No. 2 in the nation for rehabilitation.

Memorial Hermann-Texas Medical Center was also listed in the U.S. News rankings in the specialty areas of Cardiology & Heart Surgery, Ear, Nose & Throat, and Gastroenterology and GI Surgery. Children’s Memorial Hermann Hospital was nationally ranked in Pediatric Cardiology and Heart Surgery, as well as Pediatric Neurology and Neurosurgery.