Quality & Safety
Quality & Safety at BIDMC
Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (BIDMC) is committed to providing safe, quality care to all of our patients.
In service of this goal, we publish understandable, usable and timely quality and safety performance data to help our patients and families feel confident in the care they receive from our specialists.
All of our quality and safety initiatives are coordinated through the Silverman Institute for Health Care Quality and Safety.
Silverman Institute for Health Care Quality & Safety
Founded in 2007 by Mrs. Lois Silverman and her late husband Norman, the Silverman Institute for Health Care Quality and Safety is the coordinating hub for the wide array of BIDMC quality and safety initiatives. The mission of the Institute is to promote excellence in patient care through sponsorship of innovation, education, and research in quality and safety. Contact Silverman Institute for Health Care Quality & Safety at 617-667-1325.
Patient Experience & Satisfaction
Our goal at BIDMC is to provide patients and their families with the best, most comfortable experience possible. Assessing patient experience and satisfaction is a critical measure of our performance.
How Does BIDMC Monitor Patient Satisfaction?
After patients receive care from one of our service lines, we send them surveys to gather valuable information about their experience. Patients are asked to answer the questions with “Very Good,” “Good,” “Fair,” “Poor” and “Very Poor.”
We use this information to make concerted changes to our processes, systems and policies in order to improve the patient experience.
Quality & Safety Performance Data
Nursing care at BIDMC is dedicated to providing the highest quality of care and safety to our patients. We participate in PatientCareLink as part of this commitment. Through PatientCareLink, Massachusetts hospitals are working to reduce medical errors and promote a safe and supportive work environment, publicly report staffing plans that meet patients' needs, alleviate shortages of nurses and other caregivers, and work collaboratively with others to ensure access to safe, high-quality care for all.
Nursing Care Quality Reports
Average Daily Patient Census (ICUs)*
| Quarter | Neuro ICU | CCU | CVICU | MICU A/B | MICU C | MICU East | NICU | SICU | TSICU |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jul-Sep 2025 | 7.12 | 8.64 | 9.79 | 9.92 | 6.47 | 6.83 | 11.01 | 5.87 | 6.20 |
| Apr-Jun 2025 | 7.07 | 8.97 | 10.06 | 10.99 | 6.94 | 8.32 | 11.73 | 6.44 | 6.14 |
| Jan-Mar 2025 | 7.26 | 8.40 | 9.59 | 11.73 | 7.03 | 8.43 | 11.69 | 6.62 | 6.83 |
| Oct-Dec 2024 | 6.86 | 8.08 | 8.60 | 9.76 | 6.28 | 7.13 | 10.19 | 6.58 | 6.74 |
| Jul - Sep 2024 | 7.27 | 7.29 | 9.64 | 11.89 | 6.98 | 8.09 | 13.63 | 6.80 | 6.42 |
| Apr - Jun 2024 | 7.12 | 8.42 | 8.23 | 12.98 | 7.10 | 9.09 | 10.53 | 6.79 | 6.87 |
| Jan - Mar 2024 | 7.47 | 7.99 | 8.60 | 12.66 | 6.88 | 9.64 | 11.93 | 7.00 | 7.21 |
*Reorganization of ICU beds occurred in June 2016 to accommodate a dedicated Neuro ICU.
Average Daily Nurse Census (ICUs)
| Quarter | Neuro ICU | CCU | CVICU | MICU A/B | MICU C | MICU East | NICU | SICU | TSICU |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jul-Sep 2025 | 5.09 | 8.09 | 9.15 | 8.33 | 4.86 | 6.50 | 7.66 | 5.02 | 5.78 |
| Apr-June 2025 | 4.85 | 8.79 | 9.43 | 8.52 | 4.92 | 6.71 | 7.27 | 4.95 | 5.48 |
| Jan-Mar 2025 | 4.94 | 7.96 | 8.76 | 8.54 | 5.00 | 6.88 | 7.43 | 4.98 | 5.56 |
| Oct-Dec 2024 | 4.86 | 7.73 | 8.55 | 8.64 | 5.09 | 6.37 | 7.22 | 5.38 | 5.78 |
| Jul-Sep 2024 | 4.96 | 6.98 | 9.27 | 9.69 | 5.32 | 7.18 | 8.38 | 5.39 | 5.55 |
| Apr-Jun 2024 | 5.16 | 8.07 | 8.38 | 10.76 | 9.01 | 7.91 | 8.27 | 5.62 | 6.16 |
| Jan-Mar 2024 | 5.17 | 7.59 | 8.41 | 10.46 | 10.54 | 7.83 | 9.37 | 5.60 | 6.20 |
Average Daily Nurse-Patient Staffing Ratio (ICUs)
| Quarter | Neuro ICU | CCU | CVICU | MICU A/B | MICU C | MICU East | NICU | SICU | TSICU |
| Jul-Sep 2025 | 1:1.4 | 1:1.1 | 1:1.1 | 1:1.2 | 1:1.3 | 1:1.1 | 1:1.4 | 1:1.2 | 1:1.1 |
| Apr-Jun 2025 | 1:1.5 | 1:1.0 | 1:1.1 | 1:1.3 | 1:1.4 | 1:1.2 | 1:1.6 | 1:1.3 | 1:1.1 |
| Jan-Mar 2025 | 1:1.5 | 1:1.1 | 1:1.1 | 1:1.4 | 1:1.4 | 1:1.2 | 1:1.6 | 1:1.3 | 1:1.2 |
| Oct-Dec 2024 | 1:1.4 | 1:1.0 | 1:1.0 | 1:1.1 | 1:1.2 | 1:1.1 | 1:1.4 | 1:1.2 | 1:1.2 |
| Jul-Sep 2024 | 1:1.5 | 1:1.0 | 1:1.0 | 1:1.2 | 1:1.3 | 1:1.1 | 1:1.6 | 1:1.3 | 1:1.2 |
| Apr-June 2024 | 1:1.4 | 1:1.0 | 1:1.0 | 1:1.2 | 1:.08 | 1:1.3 | 1:1.3 | 1:1.2 | 1:1.1 |
| Jan-Mar 2024 | 1:1.4 | 1:1.1 | 1:1.0 | 1:1.2 | 1:0.7 | 1:1.2 | 1:1.3 | 1:1.2 | 1:1.2 |
Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting CY22
Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting (CABG) is a cardiac surgery in which the blocked coronary artery is bypassed with the patient's own vessel to improve the blood flow to the heart. Isolated Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting (CABG) is an operation in which CABG is the only major cardiac surgery performed (without valve or heart rhythm surgery).
| Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting | BIDMC Performance | National Performance1 |
|---|---|---|
|
Volume of Surgeries - Total A higher number is better. |
553 | No comparison |
| Isolated CABG | BIDMC Performance | National Performance1 |
|---|---|---|
|
National Composite Rating (over 3 years CY22-24) A higher percentage is better. |
98.22% | 97.05% |
|
Volume of Isolated Surgeries A higher number is better. |
CY22-24 =1252 CY24 = 422 |
No comparison |
|
Mortality Rate - 30 days from surgery (not risk adjusted) A lower percentage is better. |
0.23% | 1.54% |
| Use of Internal Mammary Artery | 100% | 99.62% |
A stroke happens when a blood vessel in the brain gets blocked or bursts, stopping oxygen and nutrients from reaching brain tissue. The American Stroke Association says that stroke is the fifth leading cause of death in the United States and a major reason why many people are left with long-term disabilities.
Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center shares how well it performs on important stroke care measures. These reports show how patients are doing and how closely the hospital follows the most up-to-date, proven treatments for stroke.
| Q4 2024 | Q1 2025 | Q2 2025 | Q3 2025 | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Prophylaxis to prevent blood clots due to immobility after stroke | 99% | 99% | 99% | 98% | 99% |
| MA State Rate | 96% | 97% | 98% | Not available | |
| Discharged an Antithrombotic medication (blood thinners) | 99% | 100% | 100% | 99% | 100% |
| MA State Rate | 100% | 100% | 100% | Not available | |
| Discharged on Anticoagulants (blood thinners) for Atrial Fibrillation/Atrial Flutter | 100% | 96% | 100% | 96% | 98% |
| MA State Rate | 99% | 99% | 99% | Not available | |
| Eligible patients who received Thrombolytic Therapy (clot busting medication) | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% |
| MA State Rate | 94% | 97% | 100% | Not available | |
| Antithrombotic Therapy (blood thinners) by End of Hospital Day 2 | 98% | 91% | 95% |
97% | 96% |
| MA State Rate |
99% | 97% | 98% |
Not available | |
| Discharged on Statin (cholesterol-lowering medications) | 100% | 99% | 100% |
99% | 100% |
| MA State Rate | 99% | 99% |
99% | Not available | |
| Received Stroke Education |
89% | 89% | 88% | 88% | 89% |
| MA State Rate |
96% | 97% | 96% | Not available |
|
| Assessed for Rehabilitation | 99% | 98% | 99% | 99% | 99% |
| MA State Rate | 98% | 98% | 98% | Not available | |
| Received medications to reverse the effects of blood thinners after Intracerebral Hemorrhage (brain bleed) |
100% |
100% |
100% | 100% | 100% |
| MA State Rate | 100% |
100% | 100% | Not available |
|
| Developed bleeding in the brain after treatment with clot busting medications or mechanical clot removal (Lower is better) |
8% | 17% | 11% | 7% | 11% |
| MA State Rate |
6% | 7% | 7% | Not available |
|
| Received Nimodipine after Subarachnoid Hemorrhage |
83% | 93% | 100% | 100% | 93% |
| MA State Rate |
93% | 90% | 97% | Not available | |
| Able to restore blood flow in occluded blood vessels after mechanical clot removal | 91% | 92% | 100% | 94% | 94% |
| MA State Rate | 93% | 91% | 94% | Not available | |
| Median Time (in minutes) from hospital arrival to skin incision to start clot removal (lower is better) | 20.5 |
19 | 18 | 16 | 18 |
| MA State Median |
45 | 57 | 55 | Not available | |
| Restoration of blood flow in occluded vessels within 120 minutes of arrival to the hospital | 90% | 91% | 96% | 96% | 94% |
| MA State Rate |
81% | 76% | 76% | Not available | |
| Restoration of blood flow in occluded vessels within 60 minutes of skin incision |
82% | 92% | 96% | 93% | 91% |
| MA State Rate | 84% | 86% | 87% | Not available |
Carotid Artery Disease
The carotid arteries supply blood and oxygen to the brain. In carotid artery disease (also called carotid artery stenosis), they become narrowed due to plaque build-up. If one or both of these arteries becomes too narrow or blocked, it reduces blood flow to the brain and can lead to stroke symptoms and even death.
Post-Carotid Artery Procedure Data
We closely track all patients who receive carotid procedures at BIDMC. Please see our data below. (vs. national recommended limit of 6%)
| Carotid Endarterectomy (surgery to open blocked carotid arteries) 30 Day Stroke or Death Rate | CY 2025 – through September |
|---|---|
| Patients with stroke symptoms before procedure (symptomatic) | 2.9% |
| Patients with no stroke symptoms before procedure (asymptomatic) | 3.0% |
| Carotid Artery Stenting (surgery to open blocked carotid arteries) 30 Day Stroke or Death Rate | CY 2025 – through September |
|---|---|
| Symptomatic patients | 0% |
| Asymptomatic patients | 0% |
