Saving Lives and Money:
Smart Hospital Selection
North Dallas Knee Replacement Multi-Platform Quality Assessment
The cheapest hospital
is not the best choice
Our multi-platform analysis reveals significant quality concerns at the lowest-cost option that outweigh any savings.
Our Recommendation
Medical City Plano
Baylor Scott & White Plano
Head-to-Head Comparison
| Metric | Medical City Plano | BSW Plano ✓ |
|---|---|---|
| Average Rate | $19,517 | $24,812 |
| Leapfrog Grade | C (declining ↓) | A (stable) |
| Google Rating | 4.3★ | 3.7★ |
| Yelp Rating | 2.4★ | 3.5★ |
| Complication Risk | Elevated | Low |
Why Not the Cheapest?
The hidden costs of Medical City Plano
The Rating Divergence Problem
🚨 1.9-Star Divergence
When Google and Yelp ratings differ by more than 1 star, it signals a recent quality decline that Google's aggregate hasn't caught up to yet.
Safety Grade Trajectory
Medical City Plano's Leapfrog grade over 18 months:
18 months ago
12 months ago
Current
Declining trajectory indicates systemic operational issues
What Patients Are Saying
Medical City Plano - Recent Yelp Reviews
Staffing Issues
- "Nurses seemed overwhelmed and understaffed"
- "Waited 45 min for pain medication after surgery"
- "Call button went unanswered multiple times"
Communication Failures
- "Different doctors told me conflicting information"
- "No one could answer questions about discharge"
- "Room was not properly cleaned before admission"
Management response rate: 0% — No engagement with patient feedback
Why BSW Plano?
Quality and accountability
Baylor Scott & White Plano
Leapfrog A Rating
Only A-rated facility in the immediate market. Stable trajectory indicates consistent quality.
3.5★ Yelp Rating
Highest Yelp rating among competitors. Consistent recent positive experiences.
100% Response Rate
Management responds to every negative review with personalized follow-up.
Strong Orthopedic Program
Established reputation for joint replacement surgery.
BSW Patient Feedback Themes
- "Staff was attentive and professional"
- "Felt well cared for throughout my stay"
- "Clear communication from surgical team"
- "Physical therapy team was excellent"
- "Discharge instructions were thorough"
- "Clean, modern facility with private rooms"
Financial Impact
Why the premium pays for itself
The True Cost Calculation
Scenario: 10 knee replacements annually
Annual Cost
Annual Cost
for Safety
One Complication Erases Savings
| Complication | Cost | Poor Quality Rate | High Quality Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Surgical Site Infection | $25K-$50K | 3-5% | <1% |
| DVT / Pulmonary Embolism | $15K-$30K | 2-4% | <1% |
| Revision Surgery | $40K-$80K | 2-3% | <0.5% |
| Extended Hospital Stay | $5K-$15K/day | 10-15% | 3-5% |
One avoided complication
pays for the premium
• One infection avoided = Premium recovered
• One revision avoided = 1.5x premium recovered
• Productivity preserved = Unmeasured but significant
Recommendations
Action plan for implementation
Hospital Recommendation Summary
✓ Primary: BSW Plano
Designate as Center of Excellence for elective knee replacement. Leapfrog A rating, strong patient satisfaction, accountability culture.
○ Secondary: Texas Health Plano
May be considered for employees with established surgeon relationships or significantly shorter travel time.
✗ Excluded: Medical City Plano
Despite lowest cost, declining safety grades, poor recent reviews, and zero management engagement make it unsuitable for surgical steering.
Employee Communication
"We've analyzed hospitals in our area for quality, safety, and cost. For elective knee replacement surgery, we recommend Baylor Scott & White Medical Center - Plano based on their Leapfrog 'A' safety rating and consistently positive patient experiences.
While other options may appear less expensive, the safety and quality outcomes at BSW Plano represent the best value for your health."
Optional Financial Incentives
- Waive deductible for employees choosing BSW Plano
- Travel stipend if BSW requires longer commute
- Care coordination concierge service
These incentives are cost-effective given the complication cost differential.
Key Takeaways
Safety Grade
Safety Premium
Rating Divergence
Cheapest ≠ Best Value · Quality matters for surgical outcomes
Questions?
Multi-platform quality analysis ensures the best outcomes for your employees.
Dan K. McCoy, MD
Founder and CEO
Data Sources: Serif Health Neuron · Google Places · Yelp · Leapfrog